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Arthroscopic Arthrolysis

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Wrist and Elbow Arthroscopy with Selected Open Procedures

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Abstract

Wrist stiffness is a debilitating condition that may complicate a traumatic injury to the wrist or follow immobilization of the wrist in a brace or plaster cast. This stiffness may be due to intra- and extra-articular causes. Arthrofibrosis is the predominant intra-articular pathology encountered and may involve the radiocarpal, radioulnar, and ulnocarpal joints. Treatment initially consists of a prolonged course of conservative treatment involving therapists. Following failure of conservative treatment, arthroscopic arthrolysis is an effective treatment for reestablishing range of motion and improving patient’s pain. At the same time, other intra-articular pathologies may be identified and treated. The postoperative rehabilitation protocol needs to be considered when treating other coexistent pathologies, as early postoperative mobilization is mandatory following arthrolysis. The surgical procedure involves resection of intra-articular adhesions, capsulotomy, and possible release of the radiocarpal ligaments. Due to the complex nature of this condition, certain parts of the procedure may need to be performed as an open procedure. Satisfactory results may be obtained following surgery with improvement in range of motion.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa

    Duncan Thomas McGuire

  2. Rimini Hand & Rehabilitation Center, Rimini, Italy

    Riccardo Luchetti

  3. Fenice HSRT Hand Surgery and Rehabilitation Team, Centro di Medicina, Treviso, Italy

    Andrea Atzei

  4. Policlinico San Giorgio, Pordenone, Italy

    Andrea Atzei

  5. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia

    Gregory Ian Bain

Authors
  1. Duncan Thomas McGuire
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  2. Riccardo Luchetti
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  3. Andrea Atzei
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  4. Gregory Ian Bain
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery Section of Arthroscopic Surgery and Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA

    William B. Geissler

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McGuire, D.T., Luchetti, R., Atzei, A., Bain, G.I. (2022). Arthroscopic Arthrolysis. In: Geissler, W.B. (eds) Wrist and Elbow Arthroscopy with Selected Open Procedures. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-78881-0_27

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-78881-0_27

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-78880-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-78881-0

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