Purpose of the study. To evaluate the changes of the wrist by arthroscopy without distraction in patients with multiple hereditary osteochondromatosis (MHO), and enchon-dromatosis in relation to the forearm deformity, and the combination with the following surgical procedure. Introduction. Arthroscopy of the wrist in childhood was not published previously. Wrist arthroscopy was used to evaluate the changes in the wrist in patients with MHO and enchondromatosis and to correlate these changes to specific deformities of the forearm bones. Material and Methods. The arthroscopy without distraction was used in 11 children in 13 wrist joints, with MHO (nine patients) and enchondromatosis (two patients). Conventional 2.4 mm arthroscope and the III/IV, VI/R and MCU approaches were used in combination mostly with the following surgical procedures according to the presented deformities (11 times). The arthroscopic find-ings were correlated to the conventional X-ray examinations of the wrist (radial articular angle, carpal slip, and relative ulna shortening). Results. 1. Wrist arthroscopy without distraction offers sufficient information about wrist anatomy in children to make it possible to continue with the surgical procedure in the same session. 2. The arthroscopic findings in the radiocarpal and mediocarpal space were normal in all wrist joints. 3. The articular disc of the triangular fibro-cartilage complex failed in seven wrists where shortening of the ulna was present or the head of ulna was not centered to the incisura radii. 4. A normal or reduced disc was found in six wrists where the ulna was not shortened or a normal position of the head of the ulna was re-established after lengthening. No correlation was obtained between discus anatomy and the radial articular angle and the carpal slip. Conclusions. Shortening of the ulna by MHO or enchon-dromatosis leads to the disappearance of the articular disc. Centering the ulna to the distal radioulnar joint can lead to re-establishment of the articular disc. Arthros-copy without distraction permits evaluation of the condition of the wrist, the results of treatment, and enables the surgical procedure to be performed in the same session.
We describe a technique for arthroscopy of the wrist which is carried out without traction and with the arm lying horizontally on the operating table. The wrist is not immobilised, which makes it possible to assess the extent of instability after a ligamentous tear. In a prospective study of 30 patients we compared this technique with conventional wrist arthroscopy, performing the new method first followed by conventional arthroscopy. The advantages are that the horizontal position of the arm allows the surgeon to proceed directly from arthroscopic diagnosis to treatment, and that no change of position is required for fluoroscopy. In terms of diagnostic sensitivity, we found our technique matched that of conventional arthroscopy. We had no difficulty in carrying out minor surgical procedures such as debridement and suturing.
