[Arthroscopic wrist arthrolysis.]

Wrist stiffness is a complication of wrist trauma or surgery. Rehabilitation is the treatment of choice to improve the wrist range of motion. Since 1988 we used the arthroscopic wrist arthrolysis. Criteria for patient inclusion in our preop and postop study were wrist stiffness with or without pain, unsuccessful results from rehabilitation after 3 to 6 months. From 1988 to 2003, 47 cases (45 patients: 35 males and 10 females), with a mean age of 36 years were operated on. All the radiocarpal, midcarpal and DRUJ portals were used in relationship with the site of rigidity. At a mean follow up of 58 months (range from 3 to 176 months) no complications were documented. Pain was almost absent in all the cases, mean flexion-extension ROM increased from 92 degrees preop to 106 degrees postop, mean pronation/supination increased from 145 degrees preop to 155 degrees postop, and mean grip strength increased from 25 to 31 kg postop. The average modified Mayo Wrist Score improved from 39 to 87, and the postop DASH Questionnaire obtained an average of 21 points.