Hand & Wrist Arthritis Conditions
What is the wrist joint?
Unlike most other joints in the body which only involve two or three bones the wrist joint is composed of eight little bones. It is a complex joint which is supported by several ligaments. These ligaments are crucial in the dynamic movement of the wrist and to ensure all eight bones move synchronously.
What is wrist arthritis?
Wrist arthritis is damage to the cartilage surface of the wrist joint. This can be isolated to certain areas of the wrist joint or widespread. This is usually caused by “wear and tear” or injuries of the wrist. Cartilage provides a smooth and soft surface for the bones to glide upon in the joint, as this wears away the bone rubs on bone, “bone on bone arthritis”, which causes pain and stiffness.
Once the cartilage is damaged or worn away there is no way to recover or bring back the cartilage. This will only continue to worsen over time with pain and stiffness progressively getting worse.
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What are the symptoms of wrist arthritis?
Much like other joint arthritis, wrist arthritis usually results in pain and stiffness. Unfortunately, as the wrist joint is very flexible and we use it far more than other joints, when it becomes painful or stiffness it can be quite debilitating. This is commonly associated with swelling and enlargement of the joint in general. In severe cases there may be deformity of the wrist. It is not unusual to also experience Carpal tunnel Syndrome in addition to the wrist arthritis.
How do you investigate wrist arthritis?
Wrist arthritis is obvious on X-rays when it is severe and widespread. Sometimes a CT or MRI scan may be utilised to more carefully assess cartilage surfaces in arthritis which may not involve the entire wrist joint for surgical planning.
Base of Thumb Arthritis
What is base of thumb arthritis?
Base of thumb Arthritis or 1st CMC (Carpometacarpal) joint arthritis is common. It involves the 1st Metacarpal and the saddle shaped bone, the Trapezium. Like other arthritis the smooth cartilage surfaces are worn away which results in bone on bone arthritis and bone spur formation.
What are the symptoms of base of thumb arthritis?
With base of thumb arthritis, pain is the most predominant symptom. This is particularly worse with a “pinch grip” but may be constant. The thumb also slowly adopts a position of “thumb in palm” in addition to less movement.
Hand & Wrist Treatments
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