Wrist arthritis can make even simple tasks feel frustrating and painful. While there’s no cure, the right treatment can significantly reduce symptoms and help you maintain comfort and function.
Wrist arthritis occurs when the smooth cartilage between the wrist bones wears down or becomes damaged, causing pain, stiffness and decreased motion. The wrist is a complex joint made of the radius and ulna in the forearm plus eight small carpal bones. When cartilage breaks down in any of these areas, bones begin to rub together, leading to inflammation and discomfort.
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Types of Wrist Arthritis
Common forms of wrist arthritis include:
- Osteoarthritis (wear and tear over time)
- Rheumatoid arthritis (autoimmune inflammation)
- Post-traumatic arthritis (developing after an injury like a fracture or ligament tear)
Arthritis can affect different areas of the wrist, and symptoms may vary based on the location.
What Causes Wrist Arthritis?
Wrist arthritis can develop for several reasons.
Wear and Tear (Osteoarthritis)
Over time, cartilage naturally breaks down. This type of arthritis may have no clear trigger and is not necessarily linked to any specific activity.
Autoimmune Disease (Inflammatory Arthritis)
Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis cause the immune system to attack the joints, damaging cartilage.
Past Injuries (Post-Traumatic Arthritis)
Fractures or ligament injuries can alter joint alignment. When bones no longer move smoothly, cartilage wears out faster. Arthritis may develop shortly after injury or years later.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Wrist Arthritis?
Symptoms can be mild and intermittent or constant and severe. Common signs include:
- Pain in the wrist
- Swelling
- Stiffness or limited motion
- Weakness when gripping or lifting
- Pain during activities like turning the hand palm up or down
Symptoms may flare with activity and ease with rest, but over time, they often persist or worsen.
Wrist Arthritis Treatment Options
Most patients begin with nonsurgical treatment, which may include:
- Activity modification
- Splinting or immobilization
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Hand therapy or exercises
- Cortisone injections
- Other symptom-relieving therapies
If pain persists despite these measures, surgery may be recommended.
Wrist Arthritis Surgery
Depending on the type and severity of arthritis, surgical options may include:
- Denervation: Removing small nerves that transmit pain from the wrist joint (does not cause numbness).
- Partial bone removal: Removing selected small wrist bones to reduce pain and improve mechanics.
- Fusion surgery: Permanently connecting certain bones to improve stability and reduce pain.
- Total wrist replacement: An option for select patients seeking preserved motion, though not suitable for everyone.
Other than total wrist replacement, the other surgeries can typically be done minimally invasively (wrist scope). Your surgeon will guide you through the benefits, limitations and recovery expectations for each option. Most options
What Is the Outlook for Wrist Arthritis?
While arthritis cannot be reversed, most people achieve meaningful pain relief and improved function with the right combination of treatment, lifestyle adjustments and ongoing management.
Treat Wrist Arthritis at OrthoNebraska
Need relief from wrist arthritis in the Omaha area? At OrthoNebraska, we want to make sure that our patients feel understood, safe and confident to take on an appropriate treatment plan. With proper management, we can help you reduce pain levels and improve quality of life.
