Deciding on the best treatment for wrist arthritis

The symptoms of wrist arthritis such as swelling, pain, stiffness and malformation, will all interfere with the use of your hand. Wondering where to start with treatment options? We spoke to one of our leading hand and wrist surgeons Mr Stephen Lipscombe about all of the non-surgical and surgical options for wrist arthritis.

How does the stage of wrist arthritis affect the management plan?

The wrist joint consists of numerous articulations responsible for transferring the load of a clenched fist to the forearm and allowing dexterity of movement. Arthritis can affect any of these areas producing pain with certain movements, pain at rest and stiffness.

During the early stages of arthritis, non-operative management in the form of resting splints, hand therapy and painkillers can be useful. As pain deteriorates, surgical options depend upon the area of the wrist affected.
 

What happens if wrist arthritis is left untreated?

Unfortunately, pain can deteriorate and stiffness develops, which can hinder useful function.
 

Can diet choices help manage wrist arthritis?

Whilst health supplements such as cod liver oil, glucosamine and turmeric are popular, there are few proven health benefits in the management of arthritis.
 

Are specific exercises recommended or advised against for wrist arthritis?

As with any arthritic joint, pain and swelling can deteriorate with active use. When wrist arthritis affects certain areas of the joint, specific movements can provoke pain and should be recognised and avoided. Resting splints can provide some relief but can be cumbersome and clumsy.
 

Is surgery necessary for treating wrist arthritis?

Non-operative treatments can be useful in the early stages if function and pain allow. Surgery can involve an attempt at denervating the joint (excising nerve endings producing the pain) but results can be disappointing and temporary.

Other surgical choices are generally aimed at relieving pain whilst preserving some movement in the form of a partial wrist fusion procedure or joint replacement surgery. Total wrist fusion sacrifices all movement but can be preferred in some cases.
 

Can other treatments help manage wrist arthritis?

Steroid injections can provide temporary relief of symptoms.



If you would like to discuss your treatment options for your wrist pain, you can book an appointment with Mr Lipscombe via his Top Doctor’s profile here. Can’t visit in person? Mr Lipscome is available for a video call using our eConsultation tool, which can also be found on his profile.