Left to right: Liezl Muller, Marketing Manager, Dr Christo Lourens, Orthopaedic Surgeon and Anel Scheepers, Hospital Manager.
Written by: Dr Christo Lourens, Orthopaedic Surgeon.
Dr Christo Lourens performed his first wrist arthroscopy at Cure Paarl on the 13 December.
This is a relatively new method of identifying and treating specific wrist pathologies. This method has only been developed over the last 10 years. The procedure involves being admitted to a medical facility for a day procedure, which will be done in theatre under anaesthesia.
Usually 2-3 small incisions (puncture wounds) are made where the arthroscopies are inserted, the anatomy of the wrist can then be examined on a monitor.
The ability to do arthroscopic procedures requires a specific level of training as well as courses that a committed upper limb orthopaedic surgeon will have to attend. These procedures also require specialised equipment.
The following pathologies can be treated with arthroscopic procedures:
- Ganglion removals
- Wrist ligament repairs
- Removal of loose cartilage in the joint
- In addition to treatment of wrist fractures, where the joint surface can be evaluated
Patients will usually be required to wear a bandage or wrist splint post-operatively depending on the pathology that was treated. Benefits of arthroscopic procedures include lower levels of post-operative pain and easier pain management as well as shorter recovery period.
