To systematically review the clinical presentation, imaging findings, arthroscopic characteristics, and treatment outcomes of dorsal wrist capsular impingement, a distinct cause of chronic dorsal wrist pain.

A review was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and CINAHL were searched from inception to January 11, 2026. Eligible studies included patients diagnosed with dorsal wrist capsular impingement. Data were synthesized narratively.

Six studies comprising 231 patients (233 wrists) met inclusion criteria. Age ranged from 27 to 42 years, and 53% of patients were male (122/231). Follow-up ranged from 6 to 42 months. All patients presented with dorsal-central wrist pain (231/231, 100%). Extension-provoked pain was reported in 177 wrists (77%) and in all patients in the five studies describing this symptom. MRI findings were inconsistently reported and demonstrated limited correlation with intraoperative pathology. Across four studies, hypertrophied or redundant dorsal capsular tissue interposed within the radiocarpal joint was identified in all evaluated wrists (66/66, 100%). Following arthroscopic debridement, most treated wrists demonstrated postoperative pain reduction. QuickDASH scores improved across studies, decreasing from approximately 33–49 preoperatively to 4.8–17 at 3–12 months postoperatively. Recurrence was uncommon (2 wrists, 1%), and complications were rare.

Dorsal wrist capsular impingement presents with chronic, extension-provoked dorsal-central wrist pain, often despite nondiagnostic imaging. Arthroscopy may aid diagnosis and management, with reported intraoperative findings and symptomatic improvement in selected patients. Current evidence is limited to small retrospective studies, and prospective research is needed to better define diagnostic criteria and outcomes.