Wrist
Last reviewed
Wrist conditions covered here range from nerve compression (carpal tunnel syndrome) and tendinopathy (de Quervain's tenosynovitis, intersection syndrome, ECU subluxation) through bony injuries (scaphoid fractures, distal radius fractures, scapholunate ligament injuries) to chronic instability and arthritis (SLAC and SNAC wrist, DRUJ instability, TFCC tears). Operations include open and endoscopic carpal tunnel release, percutaneous and open scaphoid fixation, distal radius open reduction and plate fixation, arthroscopic and open TFCC repair, wrist arthroscopy for ligament evaluation, and salvage procedures such as proximal-row carpectomy or four-corner fusion. Dr Hirpara's surgical training included an advanced wrist and hand fellowship at Wythenshawe and Salford in Manchester (the BSSH-recognised orthoplastic hand fellowship) and the Cutbush hand fellowship in Brisbane, with the underpinning MD research on flexor tendon repair from the University of Galway. The 25 topics below cover wrist anatomy, each condition's natural history, the operations available, and what recovery involves.
Conditions
Carpal Tunnel SyndromeCarpal tunnel syndrome causes hand numbness, tingling, and weakness—diagnosis and treatment options explained.
De Quervain's TenosynovitisPatient-facing topic on De Quervain's tenosynovitis (first dorsal compartment) — diagnosis, conservative management, and indications for de Quervain's release.
Distal Radius FractureDistal radius fractures — assessment, casting, and indications for surgical fixation.
Distal Radius Malunion (and Corrective Osteotomy)When a wrist fracture heals in a poor position — the problems it causes and how a corrective osteotomy realigns the bone.
ECU Tendinopathy and Snapping ECUThis is pain on the little-finger side of the back of your wrist — the side your
watch strap sits nearest if you wear it low. It is usually worst when you turn your
palm upwards and bend the wrist towards your little finger, which is exactly what
happens in a tennis backhand, a…
Intersection SyndromeAn overuse tendon problem of the back of the forearm, often confused with de Quervain's — its causes, and how rest, splinting or injection settle it.
Kienböck's DiseaseKienböck’s disease — progressive wrist pain from lunate avascular necrosis; diagnosis and treatment options.
Scaphoid FractureScaphoid fractures — recognition, the high non-union risk, casting and percutaneous/open fixation.
Scapholunate Ligament InjuryA tear of the key ligament linking two wrist bones — how it is diagnosed, why it matters, and the repair or reconstruction options.
SLAC and SNAC WristSLAC/SNAC wrist – understanding pain from arthritis at the wrist, often after injury.
TFCC InjuryTFCC injuries — pain on the ulnar side of the wrist, often with clicking, and treatment options.
Ulnar-Sided Wrist Pain and Ulnar ImpactionPain on the little-finger side of the wrist from the ulna grinding against the wrist bones, and how shortening it relieves the pressure.
Wrist GangliaWrist ganglia are common, fluid-filled lumps – often painless – and this page covers observation, aspiration, and excision.
Wrist Ligament InjuriesWrist ligament injuries—common causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options (conservative vs surgery).
Wrist OsteoarthritisWrist osteoarthritis — understanding symptoms, non-surgical options, and when wrist replacement might be considered.
Operations
Carpal Tunnel ReleaseCarpal tunnel release surgery relieves median nerve compression—when it’s needed and what to expect.
De Quervain's ReleaseDe Quervain’s release surgery widens the tendon sheath to relieve pain from thumb tendon inflammation.
Distal Radius ORIFOpen reduction and volar plate fixation of the distal radius — operation, recovery, rehabilitation.
Partial Wrist FusionPatient-facing topic for four-corner and capitolunate (two-corner) fusion of the wrist — joint-preserving alternative to total wrist fusion that retains some bending motion.
Proximal Row CarpectomyA wrist salvage operation for an arthritic wrist (SLAC/SNAC) that keeps useful movement — how it works, recovery, and how it compares with fusion.
Scaphoid FixationPercutaneous and open compression-screw fixation of scaphoid fractures.
Total Wrist FusionWrist fusion permanently joins wrist bones to relieve pain from arthritis or injury.
Wrist ArthroscopyDiagnostic and therapeutic wrist arthroscopy — what it is, when it's used, and recovery.
Wrist Ganglion ExcisionGanglion excision — when to consider surgery, arthroscopic vs open approaches, and expected recovery.
