Contribution of arthroscopy in case of septic appearance arthritis of the wrist: A nine cases series

Abstract

Septic arthritis of the wrist is a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency. Synovectomy and lavage by arthrotomy is often followed by stiffness. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic contribution of emergency arthroscopic synovectomy with intraarticular lavage. Nine patients were operated on for wrist pathology with septic appearance. All had signs of local inflammation, three showed locoregional inflammation, three were febrile. In one patient several joints were involved. Seven patients presented with inflammatory or degenerative arthritis. All patients underwent emergency surgery using radiocarpal joint puncture, arthroscopic exploration, intraarticular lavage and synovectomy at both the radiocarpal and midcarpal joints. The results were evaluated by pain, Quick DASH, grip strength, and wrist range of motion. In three cases, joint fluid appeared clear, in three it was turbid, and in three purulent. Gram stain and culture revealed bacteria in four cases. Synovitis was radiocarpal four times, radiocarpal and midcarpal once. In one case, there was radiocarpal and midcarpal chondritis. Average pain was 5.3/10 preoperatively and 2/10 at the last clinical follow-up visit. Mean grip strength was 23.3kg on the involved side vs. 33.5kg on the opposite one. Mean flexion was 55° for the involved wrist vs. 68°; mean extension was 52° for the affected wrist vs. 59°. No patient was reoperated on. In all cases, there was no sign of local inflammation, regional lymphadenopathy or systemic infection at the last follow-up. One patient died of colon metastatic cancer. Another patient developed a severe Complex Regional Pain Syndrome type I (CRPS1). Our results suggest three principles of management of wrist arthritis with septic appearance: extended surgical indication, emergency operation and arthroscopic procedure.