[Arthroscopy of the wrist: diagnostic and therapeutic contribution]

An arthroscopy was carried out on 23 wrist joints following trauma. There were 11 women and 12 men with a mean age of 36 years, and they were followed up for an average of 33 months. Statistically significant differences were observed in the radiolunate and scapho-lunate angles between the injured and normal sides. Arthroscopy detected 72 ligament tears, an average of 3 per wrist, compared with 1 per wrist demonstrated by arthrography. However the findings of the two investigations did not correlate, indicating that both are worth undertaking. Chondromalacia was seen in 10 wrists, mostly in the radiocarpal and mid carpal joints. On the basis of the findings at arthroscopy, conservative treatment was followed in 60% of the patients and the investigation was of great help in planning operation in the remainder.