Abstract
This prospective study evaluated our results of arthroscopic electrothermal capsular shrinkage intrinsic (palmar) for midcarpal instability. This method of treatment has not been described in the wrist in current literature. Following clinical and video fluoroscopic diagnosis arthroscopy of the wrist and capsular shrinkage was performed on five patients. A radiofrequency probe was mainly used on the ulnar arm of the volar arcuate ligament and the dorsal capsule of the radiocarpal joint. One patient was lost to follow up. At a mean follow up of 11 months the results were: one excellent, two good and one fair using the Green and O’Brien wrist scoring system (Table1). The average range of motion was 95 percent of the opposite wrist. We concluded that arthroscopic radiofrequency capsular shrinkage is an effective, minimally invasive method of treatment for intrinsic midcarpal instability.
Table 1
Total wrist score (Modified Green and O’Brien):
| Excellent: | 90 – 100 |
| Good: | 80 – 89 |
| Fair: | 65 – 79 |
| Poor: | < 65 |
The abstracts were prepared by Mr Richard Buxton. Correspondence should be addressed to him at Bankton Cottage, 21 Bankton Park, Kingskettle, Cupar, Fife KY15 7PY, United Kingdom
