Wrist arthritis can be more than just a minor inconvenience—it can affect your ability to grip, lift, work, or even perform simple daily tasks without pain. Fortunately, there are multiple treatment options available to help. The best approach depends on the severity of your symptoms, your lifestyle, and your personal goals.
Understanding Your Options
Three of the most commonly recommended treatments for wrist arthritis are splinting, injections, and surgery. While not the only available options, these approaches can provide significant relief for many patients. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of each:
Splinting: Wearing a wrist splint can be an effective non-invasive way to reduce pain and inflammation—especially for early-stage arthritis or mild flare-ups. By limiting wrist motion, a splint helps prevent movements that aggravate the joint and provides relief during daily activities.
- Best for: Patients with mild arthritis, flare-ups, or pain from repetitive use
- Pros: Non-invasive, low-cost, no recovery time
- Cons: Only offers temporary relief and does not address underlying joint degeneration
Injections: Corticosteroid injections deliver powerful, targeted relief for inflammation and pain. While they don’t cure arthritis, they can offer symptom relief for several months and are often used to delay or avoid surgery.
- Best for: Moderate arthritis, patients not ready for surgery, or those needing short-term relief (e.g., before travel or an event)
- Pros: Minimally invasive, no downtime, fast-acting relief
- Cons: Only offers temporary relief and repeated use can weaken joint structures over time.
Surgery: When pain becomes constant, motion is severely limited, or other treatments no longer help, surgery may offer the best long-term solution. Surgical options include joint fusion, joint replacement, and procedures to remove damaged tissue.
- Best for: Advanced arthritis, especially when conservative treatments fail
- Pros: Potential for long-term pain relief and improved function
- Cons: Requires recovery time, includes surgical risks, and may reduce range of motion (depending on the procedure)
Other supportive treatments include:
- Lifestyle Modifications: Using ergonomic tools, minimizing repetitive motions, and adjusting daily habits can help manage symptoms and reduce strain on the wrist. Most patients benefit from making some lifestyle modifications regardless of the severity of their condition.
- Medications: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help reduce inflammation and pain in the wrist.
- Physical or Occupational Therapy: A guided therapy program can improve strength, flexibility, and range of motion for the affected wrist. Therapy is often helpful both before and after surgery, or when conservative care needs to be extended.
Why Consultation Matters
Every case of wrist arthritis is different. What works well for one patient may not be the right choice for another. That’s why it’s important to consult an orthopedic hand specialist who can evaluate your condition, explain your options, and recommend the treatment path that best fits your needs and long-term goals.
At Fort Orthopedic Hand Center, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Nicholas Fort is dedicated to helping patients with wrist arthritis achieve lasting relief. An expert in hand and upper extremity surgery, Dr. Fort offers individualized and compassionate care tailored to each patient’s needs and lifestyle. Whether you’re exploring conservative treatment options or considering surgery, he’ll work closely with you to create a plan that prioritizes both function and long-term comfort.
If wrist pain is interfering with your quality of life, don’t wait. A thoughtful, personalized treatment plan can make all the difference.
For more information or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Fort, call (305) 209-5522 or contact us online today.