Wrist Arthritis

What is Wrist Arthritis?

Wrist arthritis is degeneration of the cartilage lining the wrist joint. The condition causes pain, stiffness and progressive loss of wrist function. The wrist is a complex joint involving two long forwarm bones and eight carpal bones. Arthritis can affect any of the joints within this system. The most common forms are osteoarthritis (OA), including post-traumatic arthritis following wrist fractures or ligament injuries, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Specialist Hand Therapy is a cornerstone of wrist arthritis management at all stages of the condition. While arthritis cannot be reversed, expert intervention significantly reduces pain, maintains joint mobility, prevents deformity as well as helps patients remain functional and independent. A personalised Hand Therapy rehabilitation programme can make a profound difference to quality of life.

What causes Wrist Arthritis?

• Osteoarthritis: cartilage wear-and-tear, often without a specific precipitating injury
• Post-traumatic arthritis following a wrist fracture, dislocation or ligament injury
• Scaphoid non-union advanced collapse (SNAC): arthritis resulting from an ununited scaphoid fracture
• Scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC): arthritis following untreated scapholunate ligament injury
• Rheumatoid arthritis: autoimmune synovitis causing progressive joint destruction
• Avascular necrosis of the lunate (Kienböck's disease) causing carpal collapse and arthritis

Signs & symptoms

• Wrist pain: typically aching at rest and sharp with activity, lifting or gripping
• Morning stiffness that eases with gentle movement and warmth
• Swelling over the wrist joint, particularly after prolonged use
• Reduced wrist range of movement
• Reduced grip strength and difficulty with everyday tasks requiring wrist loading
• Crepitus: a grinding or crunching sensation within the wrist during movement

How Hand Therapy can help

Ms Razo provides specialist assessment and evidence-based treatment for Wrist Arthritis. Following a thorough initial assessment, a personalised treatment plan will be developed to address your specific needs and goals.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between SLAC and SNAC wrist?

Both are patterns of wrist arthritis that develop in a predictable sequence. SLAC (scapholunate advanced collapse) wrist develops following untreated scapholunate ligament injury. SNAC (scaphoid non-union advanced collapse) wrist follows the same arthritis pattern but is caused by a scaphoid fracture that has failed to heal. Both are important causes of wrist arthritis in younger adults.

Can wrist arthritis be managed without surgery?

Yes. Many patients with wrist arthritis achieve good long-term symptom control with non-operative measures including Hand Therapy. Surgery is generally considered when non-operative measures have been exhausted and pain or functional limitation is significant. The type of surgery recommended depends on which joints are affected and the patient's functional demands.

Will my wrist arthritis get worse over time?

Arthritis is generally a progressive condition, but the rate of progression varies considerably between individuals. Many patients remain well-managed with non-operative treatment for years. Specialist Hand Therapy advice and treatment can slow functional decline while helpomg maintain independence.

What is Kienböck's disease?

Kienböck's disease is avascular necrosis of the lunate bone, a condition in which the blood supply to the lunate is disrupted, causing the bone to gradually collapse. This leads to progressive wrist pain, stiffness and - in advanced cases - wrist arthritis. Treatment depends on the stage of the disease and often involves Hand Therapy, both pre and post-surgery.