Our Summary

This research paper looks at the effectiveness of wrist arthroscopy, a type of minimally invasive surgery, in diagnosing and treating chronic wrist pain in children and teenagers. The study focused on those who had not been helped by at least four months of non-surgical treatment. The researchers also aimed to compare the accuracy of clinical examinations and MRI scans for various types of wrist injuries with the final diagnosis made during the arthroscopy.

The study involved a review of the medical records of 32 young patients who had wrist arthroscopy. Their preoperative diagnoses, x-rays, and surgical findings were all analyzed. The patients were followed up for a year after surgery, and were discharged if they were free of symptoms.

The researchers found that in most cases, a wrist injury was identified during the arthroscopy. They also found that clinical examinations were very sensitive but not specific enough in diagnosing certain types of wrist injuries, while MRI scans were not sensitive enough for others.

Interestingly, the majority of patients were female. The researchers concluded that their study supports the thorough investigation of any patient with persistent wrist symptoms, as a significant injury was identified in almost all cases during arthroscopy.

FAQs

  1. What is the effectiveness of wrist arthroscopy in diagnosing and treating chronic wrist pain in children and teenagers?
  2. How does the accuracy of clinical examinations and MRI scans compare to the final diagnosis made during wrist arthroscopy?
  3. Did the study suggest that any particular gender is more likely to require wrist arthroscopy?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about wrist arthroscopy is to keep the wrist elevated and apply ice to reduce swelling and pain after the procedure. It is also important to follow any post-operative care instructions provided by the surgeon, such as wearing a splint or brace and doing prescribed exercises to aid in recovery. Additionally, attending follow-up appointments and reporting any unusual symptoms or concerns to the doctor is crucial for a successful recovery.

Suitable For

Overall, patients who are typically recommended wrist arthroscopy are those who have persistent wrist pain that has not been alleviated by non-surgical treatments such as physical therapy or medication. Additionally, patients who have had inconclusive results from clinical examinations or imaging studies like MRI may also be recommended for wrist arthroscopy to accurately diagnose and treat their condition. This study suggests that wrist arthroscopy can be an effective tool in diagnosing and treating chronic wrist pain in young patients who have not responded to conservative treatments.

Timeline

Before wrist arthroscopy:

  1. Patient experiences chronic wrist pain that has not been relieved by at least four months of non-surgical treatment.
  2. Patient undergoes clinical examinations and MRI scans to determine the cause of the wrist pain.
  3. If the diagnosis remains unclear or inconclusive, the patient may be recommended for wrist arthroscopy.

After wrist arthroscopy:

  1. The patient undergoes wrist arthroscopy, a minimally invasive surgical procedure, to diagnose and treat the underlying cause of wrist pain.
  2. During the arthroscopy, a significant wrist injury is identified in most cases.
  3. The accuracy of clinical examinations and MRI scans in diagnosing certain types of wrist injuries is compared with the final diagnosis made during arthroscopy.
  4. Patients are followed up for a year after surgery, and are discharged if they are free of symptoms.
  5. The study concludes that wrist arthroscopy is effective in diagnosing and treating chronic wrist pain in children and teenagers, and supports thorough investigation of patients with persistent wrist symptoms.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about wrist arthroscopy include:

  1. What are the potential benefits of wrist arthroscopy for my specific condition?
  2. What are the potential risks and complications associated with wrist arthroscopy?
  3. How long is the recovery process after wrist arthroscopy?
  4. Will I need physical therapy or rehabilitation after the procedure?
  5. Are there any alternative treatments or procedures that I should consider before opting for wrist arthroscopy?
  6. How long do the results of wrist arthroscopy typically last?
  7. What is the success rate of wrist arthroscopy for patients with chronic wrist pain?
  8. How many wrist arthroscopy procedures have you performed, and what is your experience with this type of surgery?
  9. Will I need to follow any specific post-operative instructions or restrictions after wrist arthroscopy?
  10. How soon can I expect to see improvement in my wrist pain and function after the procedure?

Reference

Authors: Ramavath AL, Unnikrishnan PN, George HL, Sathyamoorthy P, Bruce CE. Journal: J Pediatr Orthop. 2017 Jul/Aug;37(5):e321-e325. doi: 10.1097/BPO.0000000000000887. PMID: 28594695