Hand and Wrist Arthroscopy

Hand and wrist arthroscopy is a “keyhole” surgery that lets doctors look inside small joints using a tiny camera and tools. Instead of a big cut, the surgeon makes a few mini incisions and slides in an arthroscope—a pencil‑thin camera that shows a magnified, real‑time view on a screen.

Through other small portals, they use micro‑instruments to diagnose and treat problems with precision.

• In the wrist, arthroscopy can assess and treat cartilage tears in the TFCC (a cushioning structure on the pinky side), smooth rough joint surfaces, remove loose fragments, and address certain ligament injuries between the small wrist bones.
• In the hand, similar techniques are used for select finger joints to clean up inflamed tissue, remove loose bodies, or evaluate ligament/cartilage damage.

Because the camera sees details that imaging can miss, arthroscopy is especially useful when symptoms suggest something mechanical inside the joint—like catching, clicking, or localized pain—and the surgeon needs a direct look to confirm the issue and perform delicate fixes without disturbing a lot of healthy tissue.

Shorter wait times

Hand and wrist arthroscopy can face long queues. Instead of waiting months for consultation and OR time, private centers can often schedule surgery within weeks—reducing time spent with catching, clicking, or persistent pain, and helping you get back to writing, typing, work, or sport sooner.

Choice and control

Going private gives you more say in your care. You can:

• Choose a surgeon with high‑volume wrist/hand arthroscopy experience (e.g., TFCC, ligament injuries).
• Select the clinic location (often out‑of‑province).
• Plan surgery around exams, competition seasons, or work projects.

Peace of mind

Patients value knowing exactly who will operate, when it will happen, and the detailed plan (targets on arthroscopy, anesthesia approach, rehab milestones). Clear timelines ease anxiety and give you the certainty you need to plan schedules, coordinate support, and take time off work.

Preventing further decline

• Function and quality of life: Limits months of pain, weakness, and reduced dexterity that affect school, work, music, or sport.
• Joint health: Ongoing mechanical problems (TFCC tears, loose bodies, ligament injuries) can worsen cartilage wear and instability; earlier arthroscopy can address issues before they escalate.
• Surgical complexity: Recurrent inflammation and scar formation can make later procedures more extensive, with tougher rehab.
• Mental load: Shortens time living with uncertainty, restricted activities, and sleep disruption from night symptoms.

1. ‍Confirm your diagnosis. Most patients start with a family doctor or specialist who confirms that hand and wrist arthroscopy is needed.
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2. Research. Explore surgeons who specialize in private hand and wrist arthroscopy.
   • You can find surgeons in Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Toronto, Ontario; and Montréal, Québec on our app, and review qualifications, as well as pricing.
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3. Schedule an initial consultation. Most surgeons offer in-clinic and online consults.
   
   • Consultations are usually booked within days or a few weeks.
   • Note: expect a consultation fee between $150 - $350.
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4. Consultation. The surgeon will review your condition, symptoms, and any previous treatments or diagnostics, such as x-rays or MRIs.
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5. ‍Post consultation. The surgeon will then review your case and provide surgical options based on your needs; review the risks and expected outcomes; and present pricing and scheduling options.
   
   • Because the procedure is not covered by your provincial health plan when done privately, you’ll need to review the quoted cost and consider payment options (out-of-pocket, private insurance, or financing).
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6. Schedule your surgery date. Once you confirm the procedure and payment, the clinic will schedule your surgery—generally within a few weeks.
   
   • Plan for travel and accommodation, since the surgery will likely take place outside your home province.
   • Expect pre-surgery preparation, and possibly some pre-surgery tests.

Most hand or wrist arthroscopies take about 30–60 minutes (some simpler ones are even quicker). Plan on a few extra hours for check‑in, anesthesia, and recovery before you go home.

Basic steps:

• Check‑in and marking: You meet the team, review the plan, and the surgeon marks the wrist/hand.
• Anesthesia: You’ll get either general anesthesia (asleep) or a nerve block that numbs the arm/hand.
• Position and prep: Your arm is positioned on a padded hand table. The skin is cleaned and covered with sterile drapes.
• Tiny portals (small cuts): The surgeon makes 2–4 mini incisions (about the size of a pencil eraser).
• Camera in: A pencil‑thin camera (arthroscope) goes through one portal and shows the joint on a screen.
• Fix the problem: Through other portals, tiny tools smooth rough cartilage, trim or repair a TFCC tear, remove loose pieces, or treat irritated tissue—whatever your joint needs.
• Rinse and check: The joint is flushed with sterile fluid; movement and stability are re‑checked.
• Close up: The small cuts are closed with stitches or strips and covered with a dressing; a light splint may be placed.
• Wake‑up and instructions: You recover, get simple at‑home instructions, and usually head home the same day.

Your surgery may look different. Consult your surgeon.

Your exact plan comes from your surgeon and can vary. Take rehab seriously—the more consistent you are, the better the outcome. Some private clinics offer virtual follow‑ups or coordinate local physio.

In general, what to expect after Hand and Wrist Arthroscopy:

Week 1

Reality check: soreness, swelling, stiffness, awkward sleep. Not fun.

Goals: control pain/swelling, protect the scope sites, start gentle safe motion.

Activities:

• keep dressings dry/clean
• elevate hand above heart
• ice as allowed
• move fingers and thumb often, gentle wrist motion if cleared
• short walks for circulation
• a friend or family helper is useful for meals, meds, and rides

Weeks 2–4

Still puffy but improving.

Goals: restore range of motion (ROM), reduce swelling, use the hand lightly.

Activities:

• stitch removal if needed;
• regular physio
• more wrist flex/extend, forearm rotate (palm up/down), and finger stretches within limits
• light tasks like typing, phone use, eating, and simple hygiene with the operative hand as comfortable

Weeks 5–12

The work phase.

Goals: near‑full ROM by ~8–10 weeks; begin strength and coordination.

Activities:

• progressive exercises (finger/thumb dexterity, grip, forearm, and shoulder/scapula support), putty/ball work, light resistance bands
• gradually return to everyday tasks
• avoid heavy lifting until cleared

Weeks 13–52

Back to real‑world function.

Goals: full or near‑full motion, strength, and endurance; confident use for school, work, music, or sport skills.

Activities:

• targeted strengthening, fine‑motor and agility drills
• low‑impact sport skills as approved
• Desk work often earlier
• heavy manual jobs take longer
• keep listening to your hand and your physio

Red flags anytime: fever, worsening redness/drainage, severe swelling, chest pain/shortness of breath, new numbness/weakness—contact your care team.

Hand and wrist arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery, however the costs are significant and very because of the potential complexity involved in certain instances. Private clinics in Canada typically charge $6,000 to $9,000.

In the United States, the average cost is CA$4,200 to CA$9,400.

Costs vary so much because of location, surgeon experience, facility type, scope of potential treatments, complexity of the issue, and included services (some clinics offer all-inclusive, while others charge separately for anesthesia, followup care, etc.).

What’s included

• Surgeon fee (and assistant if used) and anesthesiologist/general anesthesia
• Facility fees (OR time, nursing, supplies, arthroscopy equipment)
• Standard arthroscopy supplies; “typical” implants/anchors if bundled (varies by clinic)
• Immediate post‑op recovery and routine early follow‑ups
• Basic post‑op boot/brace and standard dressings (varies)

What’s usually not included

• Pre-op imaging (X‑rays, MRI/CT), lab work, and extra specialist consults
• Travel and accommodation (if surgery is out‑of‑province/state)Long‑term physiotherapy after the initial session(s)
• Prescription medications after discharge
• Additional implants/anchors beyond “standard,” biologics (PRP/BMAC), or unexpected add‑on procedures

Insurance and financing options

• Private health insurance: Some plans may cover part of the costs, such as hospital fees. It’s important to check your policy directly.
• Financing plans: Many clinics offer monthly payment options to help spread out the cost. Learn more about your financing options here.‍
• Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC): This is a non-refundable credit that reduces your taxes when you pay out-of-pocket for eligible medical expenses. Learn more about how to claim METC for private surgeries.

Choosing your surgeon is one of the benefits of going the private route. Here’s what to consider and the key questions to bring to your hand or wrist arthroscopy consultation.

What to look for

• Experience and volume
  • Ask how many hand or wrist arthroscopies they perform each year and their mix (TFCC tears, scapholunate/ lunotriquetral pathology, distal radius fracture arthroscopy-assisted work, synovectomy, debridement for arthritis/impingement, loose body removal, ganglion work, ulnar-sided wrist pain evaluations).
• Credentials and training
  • Confirm licensure with the provincial college (e.g., CPSO in Ontario, CPSBC in BC, CPSA in Alberta).
  • Look for FRCSC-certified orthopaedic surgeons with fellowship training in hand/upper-extremity or wrist/arthroscopy.
• Safety
  • Look into infection rates, nerve irritation/neuropraxia (dorsal sensory branches), complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) incidence, stiffness/arthrofibrosis requiring further treatment, unplanned return to OR, and readmissions
• Technique and anesthesia
  
  • Portal strategy and structures at risk; whether the plan is diagnostic arthroscopy only, debridement, TFCC repair with anchors, synovectomy, or treatment of cartilage/ligament lesions.
  • Clarify when they add procedures (e.g., ulnar shortening, wafer procedure, dorsal capsulodesis) and how that changes rehab, risks, and cost.
• Facility accreditation‍
  
  • Make sure the clinic is accredited by national bodies such as Accreditation Canada or the Canadian Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities (CAAASF).‍
• Rehab integration‍
  
  • Access to hand/ wrist savvy physiotherapy, clear phased protocol, and communication with your local physitherapist if you’re traveling.

Questions to ask during your hand and wrist arthroscopy consultation

Surgeon and surgery plan

• How many wrist/hand arthroscopies do you perform yearly, and how many for my specific problem?
• What are your rates in the last 12–24 months for infection, nerve complications, CRPS, stiffness, and unplanned re‑operations?
• What procedure do you expect for me (diagnostic, debridement, TFCC repair, synovectomy, loose body removal)? What are the success rates and trade‑offs?
• If intra‑op findings differ (e.g., larger TFCC tear, ligament injury), what additional procedures might you do and how would that affect recovery and cost?
• What anesthesia do you recommend (regional block vs general) and your pain‑control plan (nerve block duration, multimodal meds)?
• Is this same‑day outpatient? Any chance I’d need an overnight stay?

Recovery and aftercare

• Expected timelines to: come out of the splint/brace, start active motion, begin strengthening, return to desk work vs manual work, and sport‑specific activities.
• What are my early movement restrictions (lifting limits, forearm rotation limits after TFCC repair, weight‑bearing through hands)?
• What red flags mean I should call/ER (fever, increasing redness/drainage, severe swelling/pain, new numbness/weakness, color/temperature changes suggesting CRPS)?
• Who is my post‑op contact (direct phone/email)? Typical response time? How many follow‑ups are included and when?

Costs and logistics

• What exactly is included in my quote (surgeon, anesthesiologist, facility fees, standard disposables, anchors/implants if needed, nerve block, splints/braces, immediate post‑op care, scheduled follow‑ups)?
• What could add cost (extra anchors/implants, added procedures like ulnar shortening, longer OR time, biologics like PRP, unexpected imaging, complications)?
• How do you handle consent and pricing if intra‑op findings require additional procedures?
• If I’m traveling from another province, which follow‑ups can be virtual?
• Will I receive the operative note, arthroscopy images, and the rehab plan for my local care team?