Do you require any assistance? Simply reserve your appointment online below
Wrist arthritis
Holistic approach to pain management
Arthritis is an inflammatory condition of joints. There are several types of arthritis and the most common type is osteoarthritis or wear-and-tear arthritis.
At NSOC you will get the wrist arthritis pain management and specialists care you need to reduce or eliminate your wrist pain. Because when you’re in pain — whether it’s from an accident, age, working on a computer, sporting injury or ailment — you want a pain relief for arthritis in hands and wrists quickly.
Appropriate and targeted pain management and treatment starts with a proper diagnosis from our NSOC pain management specialist.
Types of arthritis that affect the wrist
There are three general types of arthritis that can affect the wrist:
Osteoarthritis. Also called “wear and tear” arthritis, osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that gradually worsens over time. The cartilage that covers the ends of bones to ensure smooth motion of the joint gradually wears down. This develops as a result of a combination of the natural aging process and is influenced by genetic factors.
Inflammatory arthritis. This includes conditions such as rheumatoid and gouty related arthritis. This is a painful disease that often affects multiple joints at the same time, including the wrists and knees. It occurs when the bodies own immune system attacks and damages the synovial membrane, which surrounds the cartilage and produces lubrication fluid for the joint.
- Post-traumatic arthritis. Post-traumatic arthritis occurs when an injury directly or indirectly damages the cartilage of a joint and a process of degeneration and inflammation.
Symptoms of wrist arthritis
All types of arthritis have symptoms of pain, swelling and stiffness.
The inflammation associated with arthritis often leaves the joint warm to the touch and can even redden the skin.
As cartilage damage occurs, the joint reacts producing increased fluid. This results in pain, stiffness and inflammation.Some symptoms differ according to type of arthritis.
Osteoarthritis symptoms are deformity at the joints, deep pain at base of thumb (basilar arthritis), difficulty gripping or pinching objects and stiffness particularly in the morning
Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms include systemically affected joints, such as both wrists and fatigue
Post-traumatic arthritis can be a combination of rheumatoid and osteoarthritis symptoms.
Who is likely to get wrist arthritis?
Wrist arthritis can affect people of all ages, yet each type of arthritis has different groups at risk. Osteoarthritis is more common with age but can occur relatively early if there are genetic factors increasing the risk. It causes more disability in active people.
Rheumatoid arthritis is found more commonly in women and post traumatic arthritis can occur in anyone after an injury.
These are some of the most common risk factors for arthritis:
- Gender — more prominent in women
- Active lifestyle
- Genetics
- Advanced age
- Injury to joint
Causes of wrist arthritis
There are many causal factors in the development of arthritis. One of the most common reasons you develop osteoarthritis in your hands is because you’ve been using them your entire life. They just wear out. Degeneration of the joints is common as you age.
Rheumatoid arthritis may be associated with genetic factors, viral or bacterial infections or even hormones. Post-traumatic arthritis is caused by damage to the cartilage from an accident or injury.
Get the pain relief you need
Diagnosis of wrist arthritis
Wrist arthritis is diagnosed through a careful examination of the wrist and other joints throughout the body.
The specialists at NSOC consider factors such as pain, joint mobility, swelling, appearance and lifestyle to help determine diagnosis.
An X-ray or other imaging tests may be performed to inspect bones for degeneration and search for thinning between bones in the joint. In some cases, rheumatoid arthritis can be diagnosed with blood or joint fluid tests that check for inflammatory indicators.
Treatment of Wrist Arthritis
Treatment for wrist arthritis is meant to restore function, reduce pain and prevent further damage. NSOC physicians may recommend any of the following treatment options based on the specific needs of each patient:
Non surgical options
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
- Biologics, which are genetically engineered proteins
- Steroids
- Physical or occupational therapy
- Exercise
- Cortisone and lubrication injections
- Braces, or assistive devices
Surgical Treatment Options
- Joint reconstruction: This is an option for those who do not have severe bone degeneration. A reconstruction procedure can clean and smooth cartilage and remove painful bone spurs. This procedure may not be adequate for patients with rheumatoid arthritis or advanced osteoarthritis.
- Joint fusion: In this case, cartilage is removed from the affected area and the bones are fused (welded) together. This is done by transplanting (grafting) a piece of bone from the hip or radius (arm bone on the thumb side), into the wrist bones. Another means of securing the bones together is by a fixation device. The two most common fixation devices are a pin through the bones to fuse them or a plate attached to the bones so they move and act as one.
- Joint replacement: During this procedure, some of the bones in the wrist are replaced with an artificial prosthesis. The prosthesis has two pieces, one that attaches to the radius bone in the forearm and one that attaches to the bones in the hand. They rest together and restore the ability to bend the wrist, unlike a wrist fusion.