Relief for Wrist Pain While Preserving Movement
Severe wrist arthritis can cause persistent pain, stiffness, weakness, and difficulty using your hand. When wrist pain begins interfering with work, hobbies, exercise, or everyday activities, total wrist replacement may be an option for carefully selected patients.
At Center for Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics, our Hand & Elbow Specialists provide comprehensive care for conditions affecting the hand, wrist, and elbow. Our physicians develop personalized treatment plans designed to relieve pain, restore function, and help patients return to the activities they enjoy.
What Is Total Wrist Replacement?
Total wrist replacement, also called wrist arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure that replaces damaged surfaces of the wrist joint with an artificial joint.
Wrist replacement is designed to relieve pain while preserving movement in the wrist. Unlike wrist fusion, which permanently eliminates motion at the wrist joint, wrist replacement allows the wrist to retain useful movement after surgery.
What Causes Wrist Arthritis?
Common causes include:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Post-traumatic arthritis
- Previous wrist fractures or injuries
- Wear and tear over time
- Degeneration of the wrist joint
Wrist arthritis can gradually damage the cartilage within the joint, causing painful bone-on-bone contact and making normal wrist movement more difficult.
What Are the Symptoms?
Patients with severe wrist arthritis may experience:
- Wrist pain
- Wrist stiffness
- Swelling
- Reduced range of motion
- Weakness in the wrist or hand
- Difficulty gripping or grasping objects
- Pain when lifting or carrying objects
- Pain during repetitive activities
- Grinding or clicking in the wrist
- Difficulty performing everyday activities
Persistent wrist pain can affect everything from typing and cooking to exercising, working, and participating in hobbies.
How Is Wrist Arthritis Diagnosed?
Your Hand & Elbow Specialist at Center for Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics may recommend:
- Physical examination
- Evaluation of wrist movement and strength
- X-rays
- Other diagnostic imaging when appropriate
- Review of your medical history and previous injuries
Your physician will evaluate the severity of your arthritis and determine whether your symptoms may be caused by arthritis, an injury, tendon problems, nerve compression, or another condition.
For more information about conditions affecting the hand and wrist, visit CSMO Hand & Elbow Surgery.
How Does CSMO Treat Wrist Arthritis?
Treatment depends on the severity of your condition and your individual goals.
Non-surgical treatment may include:
- Activity modification
- Bracing or splinting
- Medication
- Injections
- Physical or occupational therapy
- Hand therapy
If conservative treatments do not provide adequate relief, your physician may discuss surgical options such as:
- Total Wrist Replacement
- Wrist Fusion
- Other wrist reconstruction procedures
The goal is to identify the treatment option that best fits your condition, lifestyle, and long-term goals.
Why Choose CSMO for Total Wrist Replacement?
At Center for Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics, patients have access to specialized Hand & Upper Extremity Specialists who focus on conditions affecting the hand, wrist, elbow, and upper extremity. CSMO’s approach combines specialized physician care with comprehensive orthopaedic services, including:
- Specialized Hand & Elbow Surgery
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Physical and Occupational Therapy
- Hand Therapy
- Custom Splinting for the Wrist, Hand, and Fingers
- Surgical Care
- Post-operative Rehabilitation
CSMO’s Therapy Services team includes occupational therapists and provides specialized hand therapy and custom splinting for the elbow, wrist, hand, and fingers.
This coordinated approach allows your care team to focus not only on treating wrist arthritis, but also on helping you regain movement, strength, and function following treatment.
Learn more about CSMO Therapy Services.
Total Wrist Replacement vs. Wrist Fusion
Total wrist replacement and wrist fusion are two surgical options for patients with severe wrist arthritis.
Total Wrist Replacement
- Designed to relieve pain
- Preserves useful wrist movement
- May help patients maintain more natural wrist function
Wrist Fusion
- Permanently joins the wrist bones together
- Eliminates movement at the wrist joint
- Provides a stable wrist and may be recommended for patients with certain activity demands or conditions
Your surgeon will consider your age, activity level, arthritis, bone quality, lifestyle, and treatment goals when determining which procedure may be appropriate.
What Happens During Total Wrist Replacement?
During total wrist replacement surgery, damaged surfaces of the wrist joint are removed and replaced with artificial components.
The implant is designed to create a new joint surface that allows the wrist to move while reducing the painful contact caused by damaged cartilage and arthritis.
Your surgeon will discuss the specific implant and surgical technique recommended for your condition before your procedure.
What Is Recovery Like After Total Wrist Replacement?
Recovery following wrist replacement is a gradual process.
Your physician may recommend:
- Protecting the wrist with a splint or cast during early healing
- Gradually increasing wrist movement
- Hand therapy or occupational therapy
- Exercises to improve strength and flexibility
- Activity modifications during recovery
- Gradual return to normal daily activities
CSMO’s therapy team works with patients following orthopaedic surgery to reduce pain, restore function, improve mobility, and help patients return to the activities they enjoy.
Your physician and therapy team will provide a personalized recovery plan based on your procedure, healing, and individual goals.
What Are the Benefits of Total Wrist Replacement?
Potential benefits of total wrist replacement may include:
- Reduced wrist pain
- Preservation of wrist movement
- Improved ability to perform everyday activities
- Improved hand and wrist function
- Reduced stiffness caused by arthritis
Total wrist replacement is not appropriate for every patient. Your surgeon will discuss the potential benefits and limitations of the procedure during your evaluation.
When Should You See a Hand & Wrist Specialist?
Consider an evaluation if wrist pain, stiffness, weakness, or loss of motion is interfering with your work, hobbies, exercise, or everyday activities. You should also seek evaluation if symptoms persist despite conservative treatment or continue to worsen over time.
The sooner the cause of your wrist pain is identified, the sooner your Hand & Elbow Specialist at Center for Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics can develop a personalized treatment plan designed to relieve pain and restore function.
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