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Osteoarthritis wrist treatment
Osteoarthritis of the wrist causes pain and stiffness with reduced function and strength in the wrist.
Osteoarthritis of the wrist can be caused by an overexertion due to monotonous work, a previous injury, rheumatic disease or age when the cartilage changes composition and becomes more fragile with increasing age.
Many people have the impression that joint cartilage cannot heal or that it takes so long that there is no hope if you have osteoarthritis. But new research shows that cartilage heals just as quickly as muscles – under the right conditions
Osteoarthritis of the wrist – What is it?
When articular cartilage breaks down faster than new ones are built, you have osteoarthritis in the joint. It is sometimes also called wear and tear of articular cartilage. The result is that the joint cartilage decreases. One cause of osteoarthritis is age as the articular cartilage becomes drier and thus more fragile with increasing age. It can also be due to an injury or overload, such as one-sided work. Osteoarthritis is most common in hip joints, knee joints, spine joints and finger joints, but it can also occur in wrists and other joints.
The wrist (carpal joint) consists of eight small bones between the two forearm bones and towards the five bones of the metatarsal. The joint surfaces are covered with articular cartilage that acts as shock absorption to even out the load on the joint and protect against friction. Healthy joint cartilage is broken down and regenerated in balance, but in the case of inflammation in the wrist, the breakdown can be faster than the build-up, and then the joint cartilage decreases and an osteoarthritis is created.
Symptoms of Osteoarthritis of the Wrist?
Osteoarthritis of the wrist causes pain and stiffness with reduced function and strength in the wrist. The wrist can also swell and it can deform and take on a crooked appearance. The pain gets worse from overloading the wrist , but you can also have constant pain in the wrist when resting.
What causes osteoarthritis of the wrist?
Osteoarthritis of the wrist can be caused by an overexertion due to monotonous work, a previous injury, rheumatic disease or age when the cartilage changes composition and becomes more fragile with increasing age.
Why do I have Osteoarthritis of the wrist?
If you are in middle age, it may be due to long-term monotonous work or incorrect loading, which eventually results in overexertion with inflammation as a result. It can also be due to a previous injury or a rheumatic disease. With increasing age, the cartilage changes composition and becomes less durable.
When and where should I seek treatment for Osteoarthritis of the wrist?
If you experience wrist discomfort with pain and swelling, it is good to get a diagnosis from a doctor. If you have a diagnosis of osteoarthritis, you can seek treatment at a Fascia Clinic, where you can get help to increase mobility in the wrist and reduce the pain. The result of the treatment depends on how severe the osteoarthritis has become, but it is usually perceived as very pleasant and does not cause any side effects. Training the mobility of the wrist is also important to strengthen structures around the wrist. Going to osteoarthritis school to learn how to exercise properly can be good.
Other treatment options include anti-inflammatory drugs or cortisone injections or, more drastically, surgery of the joint.
How is the treatment of osteoarthritis of the wrist done?
Treatment at Fasciaklinik is about getting the flow going in the fascia, increasing mobility and reducing pressure in the joint. Fascia treatment is pleasant and does not cause any side effects. An important treatment for osteoarthritis is movement training to strengthen muscles, ligaments, joint capsules, etc. Movement, without overexertion, reduces inflammatory processes in the joint. A support splint (orthosis) to help the joint with stability can sometimes feel good.
Conventional treatments include pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, cortisone injections or various types of surgery, such as joint arthroplasty.
Osteoarthritis of the wrist – What can I do myself?
Daily exercise and movement without overstraining the wrist is important to train strength in surrounding structures and ensure that the joint does not stiffen. Movement is important for the body’s healing processes.
Exercises for Osteoarthritis of the wrist
A therapist can help with appropriate exercises. The wrist should not be strained and you should not do exercises that cause severe pain, but gently moving the wrist works well. It is important to have movement so that the wrist does not stiffen.
