Wrist Arthritis

Wrist Arthritis

Wrist arthritis is often the cause of wrist pain, and it becomes more and more common as we age. Wrist arthritis occurs when the normally smooth cartilage surfaces of the wrist joints are worn away and uneven bony surfaces are exposed. The wrist joint can become stiff, swollen, and painful.

Further Information

Arthritis of Thumb

Arthritis in the thumb is the most common form of arthritis that affects the hands. it results from the breakdown of joint cartilage and the underlying bone. It can affect the basal joint, which is the joint near the wrist and the fleshy part of the thumb. This joint normally allows you to pinch, pivot, and swivel your thumb for hundreds of tasks every day.

In people with thumb arthritis, the cushion-like cartilage inside the joint breaks down over time. This causes the bone to rub against bone.

Symptoms of thumb arthritis can become crippling, partly because the thumb is needed so often each day.

• Decreased grip strength,
• decreased range of motion,
• Swelling and pain throughout hand may occur.
• You may find it difficult to open jars, twist open a doorknob, or even snap your fingers.

If you have arthritis in other joints like your knees, hips, or elbows, it may make thumb arthritis more likely.

Women are more prone to thumb arthritis, especially those with very flexible or lax thumb ligaments. Statistically, women are six times more likely than men to develop thumb arthritis.

Treatment

arthritis is different in each individual. There are a variety of treatments that may work for your particular symptoms.

Initial treatment options involve:

• exercises
• application of ice
• medications
• splinting
• steroid injections

If these methods do not relieve pain and improve function, the joint may need to be reconstructed with surgery.

Further information