Wrist arthritis is a common form of arthritis that makes it difficult to perform tasks of daily living.

What causes wrist arthritis?

There are many different forms of arthritis, but wrist arthritis is typically caused by two forms:

• Rheumatoid arthritis: An inflammatory disease affecting the lining of joints and destroys bones, joints and tissues. The condition often starts in smaller joints, like those found in the wrist or hand.
• Osteoarthritis: A progressive condition that destroys the cartilage that covers the ends of bones. When uncovered bones rub against each other, chronic pain, stiffness and weakness results.

What does it feel like?

Symptoms include severe wrist pain, swelling of the wrist joint, restriction of wrist movement, weakness in the wrist, and decreased grip strength. These symptoms can make it difficult to perform daily activities like opening jars or holding a coffee cup. In severe cases, wrists can become deformed.

How do I know if I have wrist arthritis?

A physical examination and review of your medical history will help your doctor determine diagnosis. X-rays are often performed to help distinguish between various forms of arthritis.

How is wrist arthritis treated?

Often, modifying activities, taking anti-inflammatory medicines, and immobilizing the wrist with use of a split helps to manage pain and swelling.

Sometimes, a cortisone injection into the joint may be helpful in reducing symptoms.

When nonsurgical treatments are no longer effective, surgery may be considered.

Surgeries include:

• Joint replacement: Damaged bone is removed and replaced with a metal or plastic implant
• Joint fusion: Movement at wrist joint is eliminated by fusing the forearm bones to the arm and wrist bones
• Removal of the arthritic bones: Three small bones are removed from the wrist joint

These surgeries can often be performed using minimally invasive arthroscopic wrist surgery.

If a surgical procedure is necessary, you and your doctor will work together to determine what method is best for you.

Duke Orthopaedics treats wrist arthritis at locations throughout North Carolina, including Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill.

Treatment Videos

At Duke Orthopaedics, our doctors often treat wrist arthritis with wrist arthroscopy. The following video demonstrates this procedure.