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Arthroscopic Arthrolysis

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Arthroscopy

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. We classify joint contracture (stiffness) as either intra-articular, capsular, or extra-articular. Arthrofibrosis is the predominant intra-articular pathology encountered and may involve the radiocarpal, radioulnar, and/or 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. Rimini Hand and Upper Limb Surgery and Rehabilitation Center (Private Activity), Via Pietro da Rimini 4, Rimini, 47924, Italy

    Riccardo Luchetti MD

  2. Hand Surgery Unit, Clinic of Plastic and Reconstruction Surgery, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

    Riccardo Luchetti MD

  3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Flinders University, Flinders Drive, Bedford Park, Adelaide, 5042, South Australia, Australia

    Gregory Bain MBBS, FRACS, FA (Orth) A, PhD & Levi Morse BPhty, BMBS (Hons)

  4. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, 7705, South Africa

    Duncan McGuire MBCHB, FC(Orth) (SA), MMed

Authors
  1. Riccardo Luchetti MD
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  2. Gregory Bain MBBS, FRACS, FA (Orth) A, PhD
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  3. Levi Morse BPhty, BMBS (Hons)
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  4. Duncan McGuire MBCHB, FC(Orth) (SA), MMed
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Riccardo Luchetti MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. San Donato Milanese, Milano, Italy

    Pietro Randelli

  2. Lyon, France

    David Dejour

  3. Academic Med Ctr, Orthopedic Surger, Univ of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    C. Niek van Dijk

  4. Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Rozzano, Milan, Italy

    Matteo Denti

  5. Dept Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Meds, Ctr Hospitalier Clinique d’Eich, Luxemburg, Luxembourg

    Romain Seil

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© 2016 ESSKA

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Luchetti, R., Bain, G., Morse, L., McGuire, D. (2016). Arthroscopic Arthrolysis. In: Randelli, P., Dejour, D., van Dijk, C., Denti, M., Seil, R. (eds) Arthroscopy. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-49376-2_76

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-49376-2_76

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-662-49374-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-49376-2

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