Wrist disorders treated with arthroscopy through volar and dorsal portals: a clinical study

Objective To describe a new technique to establish volar wrist arthroscopic portal and report the clinical results of wrist disorders treated with arthroscopy through the combined dorsal and volar portals.Methods Volar wrist arthroscopic portals were established with the inside-out switching stick and outside-in sweeping forceps technique.Since 2004,11 cases with wrist disorders have been treated under the arthroscopy through volar and dorsal portals.There were three cases of triangular fibrocartilage complex in-juries,5 cases of distal radius fractures and 3 cases of gout wrist arthritis.There were 5 males and 6 females,with a mean age of 52 years(range,30 to 82).All cases were followed up from 3 to 10 months postoperative-ly.Results The volar portals was especially useful for visualizing dorsal capsular structures,debridement and arthroscopy-guided treatment of articular fractures of the distal radius.All cases had got satisfactory functional recovery and the pain alleviated significantly after operation.Postoperative scores finished by the patient-rated wrist evaluation(PRWE)system were 28.6±9.3.No complications occurred.Conclusion Volar portals established by our technique are safe and reliable.Wrist arthroscopy with volar portals is much effective to diagnose and treat wrist disorders. Key words: Carpal joints;  Arthroscopy;  Surgical procedures,operative