Ligaments · Cartilage · Joint
Wrist Surgery
The wrist is a small joint complex with a demanding job. Eight carpal bones, multiple ligaments and a cartilage cushion all have to move together under load. When one of those structures is injured or worn, wrist surgery aims to restore stability and comfort while preserving as much motion as the problem allows.
(623) 264-3300Where Wrist Pain Tends to Come From
The location of your pain is one of the most useful clues in the examination.
Ulnar Side (Pinky Side)
TFCC injury, ulnocarpal impaction, ECU instability, DRUJ problems
Radial Side (Thumb Side)
Scaphoid fracture, thumb base arthritis, de Quervain's tendonitis
Central / Dorsal
Scapholunate ligament injury, ganglion cysts, wrist arthritis
Palmar / Diffuse
Carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, nerve compression
The Approach
Seeing the Wrist Before Deciding
The wrist is difficult to assess from the outside. Several structures sit close together, and injuries to different ones can produce very similar symptoms. That is why evaluation typically builds from the least invasive information first.
When the picture remains unclear after examination and imaging, arthroscopy can provide a direct look at the joint — and frequently allows treatment in the same setting rather than requiring a second procedure.
A Word on Partial Fusions
Some wrist arthritis is treated by fusing selected bones while leaving others free to move. This deliberately sacrifices a small amount of motion in exchange for durable pain relief. It is a trade-off worth understanding clearly before deciding.
Diagnostic Path
History & Examination
Where it hurts, what provokes it, and what the wrist does under load narrows the list considerably.
Imaging
X-rays assess alignment and arthritis. MRI can show ligament, cartilage and soft tissue injury.
Targeted Injection
In some cases an injection into a specific joint or tendon sheath helps confirm which structure is generating pain.
Arthroscopy When Needed
A camera inside the joint resolves remaining questions and can treat the problem directly.
Procedures
Wrist Procedures Performed
Each procedure addresses a specific structure. The linked condition pages explain the underlying diagnosis in more detail.
Wrist Arthroscopy
A small camera placed into the wrist joint to see ligament and cartilage damage directly — and to treat it in the same setting.
Learn about the conditionTFCC Repair
Repairing a torn triangular fibrocartilage complex on the ulnar side of the wrist to restore stability and reduce pain.
Learn about the conditionTFCC Reconstruction
Rebuilding a TFCC that cannot be repaired directly, using a tendon graft to recreate stability of the distal radioulnar joint.
Learn about the conditionScapholunate Ligament Repair
Addressing the ligament that links the scaphoid and lunate, the most commonly injured ligament of the wrist.
Learn about the conditionUlnar Shortening Osteotomy
Shortening the ulna when it is longer than the radius and is pinching the TFCC and the ulnar side of the lunate.
Learn about the conditionECU Subsheath Stabilization
Restoring the subsheath that holds the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon in its groove so it stops snapping out of place.
Learn about the conditionGanglion Cyst Excision
Removing a fluid-filled cyst along with its stalk, which lowers the chance of it returning.
Learn about the conditionPartial Wrist Fusion
Fusing selected bones of the wrist to relieve arthritic pain while preserving as much useful motion as possible.
Learn about the conditionWrist Fracture Fixation
Restoring alignment and stability of a broken wrist bone with plates and screws so the joint can heal in position.
Learn about the conditionProtected Healing
Ligament repairs and osteotomies generally need a period of immobilization so the repaired structure can heal without being pulled apart.
Regaining Motion
Wrist stiffness sets in quickly. Motion is reintroduced on a specific schedule, often with the guidance of a hand therapist.
Rebuilding Strength
Grip and forearm strength return last. Progressive loading is what restores the ability to lift, carry and push.
Risks & Benefits
Outcomes after surgery vary, and risks and benefits should be discussed in detail with your treating physician. Non-operative treatment also carries risks and benefits which should be discussed with your treating physician.
Common Questions
Wrist Surgery FAQs
What is the difference between wrist surgery and hand surgery?+
The distinction is anatomical. The wrist is the joint complex between the forearm and the hand, made up of the radius, ulna and the eight carpal bones with their ligaments and cartilage. Wrist surgery addresses the bones, ligaments and cartilage of that region, while hand surgery addresses the fingers, thumb and palm. In practice, many procedures cross both areas, which is why hand and wrist surgery are usually treated as one subspecialty.
What is wrist arthroscopy used for?+
Wrist arthroscopy lets a surgeon look directly at the ligaments and cartilage of the wrist through very small incisions. It is used both to diagnose problems that imaging has not fully clarified and to treat them — removing torn tissue, repairing ligament injuries or assisting with fracture reduction — often in the same procedure.
Why does ulnar-sided wrist pain take so long to diagnose?+
The ulnar side of the wrist is a compact arrangement of several structures — the TFCC, the ulnocarpal ligaments, the ECU tendon and its subsheath, and the distal radioulnar joint — any of which can produce similar symptoms. Distinguishing among them often takes a careful examination, targeted imaging and sometimes arthroscopy.
How long will I be in a cast or splint after wrist surgery?+
It depends entirely on the procedure. Some arthroscopic procedures require only a soft dressing and early motion, while ligament repairs and osteotomies typically require a period of protected immobilization before progressive movement begins. Your surgeon will give you a specific plan for your procedure.
Will I get my full range of motion back?+
Many patients recover functional motion, though some procedures intentionally trade a small amount of motion for stability or pain relief. Partial fusions, for example, deliberately eliminate motion between specific bones. Realistic expectations for your particular procedure should be discussed with your treating physician.
What are the risks of wrist surgery?+
Risks include infection, bleeding, stiffness, scarring, injury to nearby nerves, incomplete relief of symptoms, and problems related to hardware or healing. Outcomes after surgery vary, and risks and benefits should be discussed in detail with your treating physician. Non-operative treatment also carries risks and benefits which should be discussed with your treating physician.
Get to the Bottom of Your Wrist Pain
Wrist pain that persists, catches, clicks or gives way deserves a proper look. Schedule an evaluation to find out what is actually causing it.