History of wrist arthroscopy

Abstract

The history of wrist arthroscopy is a global one, founded on the development of the arthroscope in Japan in the first half of the 20thcentury. Japanese surgeons Kenji Takagi and Masaki Watanabe helped develop the arthroscope and the techniques and concepts of arthroscopy, with a focus on the knee. With the improvement in optics, lighting. and miniaturization, arthroscopy of the wrist could be more safely performed. In the 1980’s Terry Whipple, Gary Poehling and James Roth brought a standardized, safe, and reproducible approach to wrist arthroscopy. They conducted courses, revolutionized teaching, and added publications. This led to an explosion in the clinical utilization of wrist arthroscopy and further development of new techniques. In 2005, Christophe Mathoulin created the European Wrist Arthroscopy Society (EWAS) which conducted cadaveric workshops, initially in Europe and then throughout the world. In 2015, PC Ho created the Asia Pacific Wrist Association, which has provided meetings and workshops throughout Asia. Recently, EWAS became International Wrist Arthroscopy Society, truly providing an international approach. This article brings these periods together and presents a thorough picture of the development of wrist arthroscopy.