Symptoms and evaluation
Patients may notice pain with gripping, pushing up from a chair, loading the wrist, sports or work activities. Stiffness, swelling, clicking or reduced motion may also occur. Evaluation commonly includes examination and radiographs to determine which wrist joints are involved and the pattern of arthritis.
Treatment options
Options depend on the location and severity of arthritis, symptoms, age and functional goals. Nonsurgical care can include activity modification, bracing, medication when appropriate, therapy and injections. Surgical options vary by arthritis pattern and can include motion-preserving procedures, partial fusion, total wrist fusion or selected arthroplasty procedures.
Recovery and return to activity
Recovery varies substantially according to treatment. When surgery is performed, rehabilitation is tailored to the procedure and balances healing with restoration of useful motion, strength and function.
When to seek evaluation
Persistent pain, numbness, weakness, loss of motion, deformity or symptoms that interfere with sleep, work or daily activities are reasonable reasons to seek an orthopedic evaluation. Urgent injuries with severe deformity, open wounds or compromised circulation require prompt medical attention.
Common questions
Wrist arthritis is not a single condition. Prior fractures or ligament injuries can produce characteristic patterns of post-traumatic arthritis, while inflammatory and degenerative conditions may affect the wrist differently.
Specialized upper-extremity care
Dr. Devin W. Collins is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with fellowship training in hand, upper-extremity and microvascular surgery. Treatment recommendations are individualized to the diagnosis, severity, goals and needs of each patient.