Arthritis is the catch-all term for the damage done to joints either through the daily wear and tear we put on them---called osteoarthritis---or through systemic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. The wrist and hand are particularly prone to arthritis, because they are composed of so many small bones and are in almost constant use throughout the day.
Onset of Symptoms
Osteoarthritis tends to occur mostly in older people. It may be the result of a traumatic injury to the wrist, or it could just be from normal wear and tear. Initially, you may notice a dull or burning pain in your wrist following use.
For those with rheumatoid arthritis, the wrist will experience longer periods of morning stiffness, have more pronounced swelling and warmth and may appear reddened.
Later symptoms
In osteoarthritis, as the cartilage wears away, the symptoms become more noticeable, and may wake you up at night. You may find your wrist to be stiff in the morning, or notice increasing swelling and warmth.
Joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis may actually begin to feel looser and your hand may become too weak to perform some tasks, such as opening a door or turning on a faucet. The inflammation associated with this disease is also responsible for the small nodules that appear over the finger and wrist joints.
Diagnosing Arthritis
Symptoms for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis may overlap, so if you have ongoing or significant swelling in , you should see an orthopedist or other joint specialist. Rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed by symptoms, physical examination of the joint, lab testing of blood, urine or joint fluid and x-rays or magnetic resonance imaging.
Lab tests won't tell you if you have osteoarthritis, but your doctor will likely order x-rays or an MRI scan and possibly even do an arthroscopic examination to look inside the joint.
Treatment
Rheumatoid arthritis is treated through medications, including or even steroids as needed to stop the inflammation and thus stop the damage to the body's soft tissues. Osteoarthritis is generally manageable using solely non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as ibuprofen and naproxen.
Arthritis in the wrist may also be managed by wearing a splint to hold the wrist in a comfortable position while you're engaged in activities. It should be removed periodically to maintain range of motion.
An exercise program of gentle stretching and strengthening to help you maintain as much range of motion and strength as possible can be designed by a physical or occupational therapist.
When other treatments fail, surgery may be the answer. Surgical treatments include joint replacement, joint fusion, tendon repair or synovectomy, in which the lining of the joint that's causing the swelling and inflammation is removed.
Prevention/Solution
It may not be possible to prevent arthritic changes from occurring in your wrist, but there are some things that can be done to reduce your risk, as well as keep you functional if arthritis starts to develop. These include wrist rests for proper hand positioning while using the computer, wrist splints when you have to do repetitive activities and other devices that help you carry out tasks that would otherwise stress your wrist. A physical or occupational therapist can help you determine which devices will best serve your needs.
Tags: your wrist, rheumatoid arthritis, anti-inflammatory drugs, Arthritis Symptoms, arthritis wrist, occupational therapist