22
What is the treatment?
Non surgical Treatment
•
•
•
•
Medication: such as non steroidal
anti-inflammatories
such
as
ibuprofen can help with swelling/
inflammation and pain killers can
help alleviate pain.
Splinting: Sometimes splints can
be used to protect and support the
joint to help alleviate some of the
pain.
Joint protection advice/ aids:
Sometimes advice on how to
protect our joints throughout every
day tasks can help to alleviate pain.
Steroid
Injections:
Localised
injections directly into the affected
joint to help reduce inflammation
and pain.
Surgical Treatment
In cases where the above has not worked
the following may be considered:
4 corner fusion: This can be performed in
less
severe/advanced
cases
of
osteoarthritis where only part of the wrist is
affected. Screws and plates are used to
fuse/hold together some of the carpal
bones in the wrist which can help to
alleviate pain in the wrist but does restrict
the amount of movement in the wrist
permanently.
There
is
a
chance
of
pain
continuing/recurring with 4 corner fusion.
Total Wrist fusion: This is performed in
severe cases of osteoarthritis. A plate is
put across the radius and two rows of
carpal bones to fuse/ hold them together.
ALL movement at the wrist is lost following
this procedure but is very reliable at
alleviating pain by preventing any
movement.
There will still be full movement of the
fingers and thumb.
Grip strength may be slightly affected.
Joint Replacement: Joints in the wrist can
be replaced for prosthetic ones but this is
dependent on the quality of other bones/
joints involved & the physical demands on
the wrist.
De-nervation: To help releive pain and
preserve movement the nerve responsible
for providing sensation to part of the wrist
is removed. This results in some
permenant and irreversible numbness in
the hand and wrist.
This measure may only provide temporary
pain releif.
If you have any Questions about this condition/ operation
bring them to the next appointment with your surgeon.
If you have any questions about the information on this
leaflet you can contact a member of the Hand Therapy
Team on (01246) 512177
Wrist Osteoarthritis
Version 1
© Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Reviewed Date: March 2016
Next Planned Reviewed Date: March 2018
Therapy Services Dept.
Wrist
Osteoarthritis
This information sheet is designed to provide you
with some basic information about Osteoarthritis
in the wrist and the ways in which it can be
managed.
About the wrist
The wrist is a very complicated structure
designed specially to enable it to move in
the different ways that it does.
It is made up of two long bones in the
forearm (the radius & ulna) and eight
smaller bones at the bottom of the hand
(the carpal bones). These bones are
joined through complex structures of
ligaments and tendons.
22
What Osteoarthritis?
Why does is occur?
What are the symptoms?
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a
degenerative joint disease which
causes the cartilage surrounding our
bones to wear away. Cartilage is
tough but flexible and surrounds the
ends of the bones allowing them to
move over one another forming a
joint. When the cartilage wears
away bone rubs on bone which
gives rise to a painful inflamed joint.
OA is a common degenerative
disease affecting joints. Anyone can
get it but there are a number of
factors that may increase the risk of
OA:
• Age; OA tends to affect
people aged 40+ as muscles
become weaker and joints
gradually wear over time
• Gender; OA is more common
in
females
than
males
(particularly in the hands and
knees)
• Weight; being over-weight
puts more stress on joints and
can increase the chance of
developing OA
• Family; some forms of OA run
strongly in families and can
be linked to genetics
• Previous injury; an injury such
The main symptoms of OA
in the wrist are:
• Pain in and around the wrist
• Swelling
• Stiffness
• Weakness in the hand and
wrist
• Limited movement
• Altered positioning of the wrist
as a fracture or ligament
damage can lead to OA in a joint
• Other joint diseases; such as
rheumatoid arthritis / gout can
increase
the
risk
of
developing OA
What tests might be done?
X-Rays of the wrist may be required
to allow the doctor to see which
areas are affected by arthritis.
Sometimes CT scans (also known
as CAT scans) may be undertaken
to give the doctor a more in-depth
view of the wrist to diagnose the
problem.
Blood tests may be required to rule
out any other cause for wrist pain
such as rheumatoid arthritis.