Arthroscopic Management of Dorsal Wrist Impingement

Dorsal wrist impingement (DWI) occurs when the dorsal wrist capsule becomes trapped and pinched between the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) and the dorsal ridge of the scaphoid. The diagnosis is purely clinical and depends on accurate localization by history and during examination as well as carefully ruling out alternative etiologies for dorsal wrist pain. Nonsurgical treatment is based on corticosteroid injection and activity modification. In resistant cases, arthroscopic resection of the involved segment of dorsal capsule offers a reliable solution for the problem.