| "> | | | | structures such as nerves. This can lead to |
| | | | conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome which is |
| Wrist involvement with arthritis is relatively common. | | | | due to pressure on the median nerve at the wrist. |
| This article discusses wrist pain and its treatment | | | | The treatment requires a specific diagnosis. Your |
| when due to arthritis. | | | | rheumatologist will want to check blood tests, imaging |
| The wrist is a complicated joint. It consists of the | | | | procedures such as x-rays, ultrasound, and magnetic |
| ends of two long bones: the radius and the ulna, two | | | | resonance imaging (MRI). |
| rows of carpal bones with each row containing 4 | | | | The treatment will depend on the diagnosis. |
| bones each, and the bottom ends of the hand | | | | However, certain measures may be helpful regardless |
| bones- called the metacarpals. The bones are | | | | of diagnosis. |
| connected to each other by a complicated series of | | | | Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), |
| ligaments. | | | | splints to rest the wrist, and glucocorticoid injections |
| The entire wrist joint is enclosed within an envelope | | | | may be helpful. Physical therapy may also be |
| of tissue called the synovial capsule. The bones | | | | beneficial. |
| within the wrist are covered with cartilage and a thin | | | | Arthroscopic debridement of the joint (going into the |
| layer of joint fluid acts as a lubricant to permit | | | | wrist with a small telescope and using small cutting |
| smooth gliding. Multiple tendons glide along the top | | | | tools to remove damaged and diseased tissue) is also |
| and the bottom of the wrist. These tendons | | | | an option. |
| originate in muscles and are connected to the bones | | | | For patients with severe disease, surgery may be |
| within the hand to allow movement of the wrist up | | | | needed. |
| and don as well as side to side. | | | | Ulnar resection where the end of the long bone on |
| Arthritis causes inflammatory changes to develop | | | | the little finger side of the wrist is surgically |
| within the wrist. This leads to destruction of | | | | shortened is sometimes done for arthritis. |
| cartilage, inflammation of the synovial lining, and | | | | Fusion is performed if the arthritis has advanced to |
| resultant weakening of ligaments and tendons. The | | | | the point where motion is gone but pain remains. |
| types of arthritis that can affect the wrist include | | | | Fusion is exactly what it sounds like- fusion of all the |
| rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, | | | | bones to alleviate pain. |
| gout, pseudogout, and a few others. | | | | Joint replacement is done at a few select centers |
| This inflammation causes pain, limited range of motion | | | | around the country. Wrist implant surgery- as this is |
| in the wrist, and a reduction in grip strength. | | | | called- is best done in patients who don’t |
| Sometimes if the swelling in the wrist becomes | | | | place a lot of stress on the wrist. Implants last |
| pronounced, there can be pressure on other | | | | about ten to fifteen years. |