When Does Wrist Arthritis Require Surgery?

It’s easy to forget how often we use our hands throughout the day; until wrist arthritis hits. It can cause excruciating pain when doing the simplest tasks. It may creep up on you without any warning, and it can leave you wondering if you’ll ever find pain relief.

At the Spine and Orthopedic Center of New Mexico, our skilled team is able to help you figure out what the next step is in your arthritis treatment. If surgery is recommended, Dr. Omar Osmani goes over all of your options for permanent pain relief.

Symptoms of arthritis in the wrist

Arthritis is a common disorder and occurs in many different joints in your body. Although it’s common, it still puts a damper on your everyday activities. Arthritis in your wrist is especially challenging, since you use your hands for just about everything in life. There are a few different causes of this type of arthritis, such as:

Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Pseudogout
Trauma
Infection

It can be hard to differentiate arthritis pain from other common culprits of wrist discomfort. So how do you know if arthritis is what’s causing your pain? There are a few symptoms that you can look out for, including:

Stiffness
Limited movement
Weakness
Swelling
Cracking or grinding with movement

If you’ve experienced any of the above symptoms, arthritis may be the root of your problem. This condition can be managed in a variety of ways, and Dr. Osmani discusses all options with you and helps you decide which avenue is best for your life.

When do you consider surgical treatment?

The first line of treatment usually is conservative in nature. This may include medications to manage inflammation associated with your arthritis. These medications are usually over-the-counter anti-inflammatories. Dr. Osmani may also recommend physical therapy or a steroid injection into your wrist if the anti-inflammatories aren’t providing relief.

If you’ve been following a conservative treatment plan for some time with little to no relief, it may be time for you to consider surgical treatment. There’s no specific amount of time you need to wait to consider surgery for your arthritis. It’s recommended that you at least try each conservative approach, as surgery is invasive and usually the last resort.

At your appointment, Dr. Osmani asks you about your symptoms, how long it’s been bothering you, and what you’ve tried for treatment in the past. After an exam, he gives you surgical options that’ll work best for your type of arthritis, along with what you can expect during recovery.

Your surgical options

When you’re at the point where surgery is the best option, there are several surgical procedures that help decrease pain related to arthritis symptoms. Dr. Osmani discusses each one with you and helps you decide which option best suits your condition and lifestyle. Surgical options that may work for you include:

Partial wrist fusion
Total wrist fusion
Joint replacement

Dr. Osmani also performs minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery of the wrist. This procedure is done under anesthesia and involves a tiny camera and scope that he uses to see inside of your wrist joint. This can be used to remove excess tissue that’s common with inflammatory arthritis. This procedure can also be used as a diagnostic tool to see if there’re any other problems in your wrist.

As with any procedure, wrist surgery does have risks that you should discuss with Dr. Osmani. However, if Dr. Osmani suggests surgery, the benefits usually outweigh the risks of the procedure.

At the Spine and Orthopedic Center, our goal is to get you feeling better as soon as possible. We are the only all-orthopedic urgent care in our area, so we are able to provide you quick and quality service in a fraction of the time you’d spend in the emergency room.

If you’re sick and tired of dealing with pain day after day and are ready for permanent pain relief, call our office today at 575-623-9101 or request an appointment with Dr. Osmani online.