Complications of thermal ablation in wrist arthroscopy

Wrist arthroscopy is a valuable diagnostic and therapeutic tool. Thermal ablation can be used concomitantly to treat partial ligamentous tears, triangular fibrocartilage cartilage complex tears, and to perform partial synovectomy. We reviewed 47 consecutive patients who underwent wrist arthroscopy with concomitant thermal ablation between 1997 and 2001. Three patients sustained serious complications. The serious complications included, in all three patients, tendon ruptures and in one case, a 5 x 10-mm full-thickness skin burn. Thermal treatment of collagenous tissues has recently gained popularity in the orthopedic literature, but there is little information on the potential complications. The arthroscopist of large and small joints must be aware of the risks involved when using thermal ablation.