Arthroscopy of the wrist

Background. The increasing use of arthroscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic injuries of the wrist has also led to an increase in new knowledge. In fresh fractures of the wrist, accompanying soft tissue injuries are often only first discovered and treated by arthroscopy and repositioning of articular fragments by optical control is more accurate than by radiological imaging. However, due to the large number of distal radius fractures and the various types of extra-articular and intra-articular fractures there is currently a broad and very controversial discussion about the indications for arthroscopy. Objectives. This study was carried out investigate whether criteria for distal radius fractures with the varied injury situations can be found which are appropriate to establish the indications for arthroscopy of the wrist based on an algorithm. Methods. Following a selective literature review and taking our own results from a collective of 50 patients with distal radius fractures and arthroscopically assisted fracture treatment into account, possible criteria for the indications for arthroscopy of the wrist in distal radius fractures were established and are demonstrated using case examples. Results. Based on this study an algorithm has been created for the treatment of distal radius fractures with the integration of arthroscopy as an essential diagnostic and therapeutic procedure. Conclusions. Numerous well-known radiological findings can be used to justify the indications for arthroscopy in distal radius fractures and an improvement of the therapeutic results is expected due to increased use of arthroscopy.