Can I Get Minimally Invasive Surgery For Wrist Tendonitis?

Is Your Wrist At Risk?

Majority of the hand surgeries scheduled stem from wrist injuries. Although this is no surprise considering the wrist is essential for all daily activities. This joint consists of several bones, tendons, and complex tissue formation, making injuries a lot more common than expected. Wrist tendonitis is a painful injury that can happen over time. Help is possible, both surgical and non-surgical, for wrist pain. In some cases, minimally invasive surgery may be necessary.

What is tendinitis?

Tendinitis is among the top 4 wrist injuries possible, causing inflammation or irritation in the wrist originating from the tendon, causing discomfort, swelling, tenderness, and varying degrees of pain depending on the extent of the damage. Most cases of tendinitis happen due to overuse of the wrist, sports activities, or repetitive work that promotes wear and tear. An MRI, ultrasounds, and some physical examinations help doctors determine tendinitis and the extent of the injury. The good news is most cases respond to simple at-home remedies and non-surgical options.

Non-surgical options

Going under the knife can be wary for some people. However, most cases of tendinitis can heal without surgery. An orthopedic doctor may recommend temporary splints or brace. Furthermore, steroid injections can decrease inflammation from the wrist area. Another common suggestion is to use NSAIDs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines. Doctors prefer these options before orthopedic surgery and should be tried before surgery.

When should you consider surgery?

Surgery is only supported in severe circumstances or if all other measures fail after at least 3 months. This surgery is also done depending on the extent of the injury. For instance, if there is a chance the tendonitis would worsen with time or lead to more severe cases such as tendon rupture. In all, an orthopedic surgeon only recommends this procedure if non-surgical options are not practical or possible.

What to expect with tendinitis surgery?

If the tendons are severely damaged, surgical means may be the only option to repair or get back mobility under the advisement of an orthopedic doctor. Some doctors opt for local anesthesia since the procedure is minimally invasive. The surgery is performed by making a minor cut on the skin near the damaged area through a scope, allowing the surgeon to see the tendons on an external monitor. The torn tendons are stitched together while the surgeon examines the surrounding tissues for other possible issues. The incision is closed, then bandaged and dressed. Some patients require a splint and can go home shortly after surgery.

Recovering after the surgery

Wrist tendonitis surgery is an outpatient procedure. Healing can take a maximum of 12 weeks, supported by a splint or cast to decrease tension on the wrist. Patients are encouraged to use physical therapy to ensure a full range of motion is returned during recovery. In addition, there should be minimal scarring and mild tension post-procedure. Overall, this wrist operation has a 95% success rate, and risks include scarring and possible infection.

Get your wrist back

Wrist tendonitis can be painful and restricts the use of the affected wrist. There is a lot of emphasis on using a minimally invasive method as the recovery and effectiveness are very desirable. However, surgery is best after trying non-surgical options. If the symptoms of wrist tendonitis affect everyday life, see a doctor immediately.