Osteoarthritis of the wrist
A sore, stiff wrist can gradually change how you use your hand. If osteoarthritis is behind the problem, we’ll help you understand changes inside the joint and what could make daily movement more comfortable.
Care that starts with your day
Looking beyond the scan
We’ll explore which movements are troubling you and what you’d most like to return to.
A close look at your wrist
Specialist assessment
Your consultant will pinpoint where the joint has changed and how this is affecting its movement.
More than one way to help
Options for different stages
Care can range from practical ways to ease discomfort through to surgery for more advanced damage.
What is osteoarthritis of the wrist?
Your wrist contains several small bones that work together whenever you turn, bend or put weight through your hand. Their ends are covered by smooth tissue called cartilage, which helps them glide without rubbing. Osteoarthritis develops when this protective covering wears down or becomes damaged. The space within the joint may narrow, and the underlying bone can start to change, leading to soreness or stiffness.
What causes osteoarthritis of the wrist?
For some people, the cartilage changes gradually with age. Wrist osteoarthritis can also develop long after an injury, particularly if the joint surface or the tissues holding the bones in place were damaged.
This may follow a broken wrist or a scaphoid fracture. Damage to a ligament – a strong band of tissue connecting one bone to another – can also affect how the wrist moves. You can read more about this on our sprained wrist page.
Another possible cause is Kienböck’s disease, where one of the small wrist bones doesn’t receive enough blood and becomes damaged.
What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis of the wrist?
You may first notice an ache after carrying shopping or opening a tight lid. The discomfort can become more frequent over time, and you may start avoiding movements that used to feel natural.
Other changes can include:
- Stiffness when you bend or turn your wrist
- Swelling or warmth around the joint
- A grinding feeling during movement
- Reduced grip strength
- A sense that the wrist isn’t steady
Symptoms don’t always match the amount of change seen on a scan. A wrist that looks very worn may cause little trouble, while smaller changes can sometimes be painful.
How is osteoarthritis of the wrist diagnosed?
Your appointment will begin with a conversation about what you’ve noticed and how it’s affecting your routine. Your specialist will then examine the wrist, checking where it hurts and how freely it moves.
An X-ray can show if the gap between the bones has narrowed or if their shape has changed. If another type of arthritis may be involved, blood tests can help your consultant investigate further.
You might also need an MRI scan. This produces detailed pictures of the bones and nearby tissues. Less commonly, a bone scan may be used to reveal changes that aren’t visible on an X-ray.
How is osteoarthritis of the wrist treated?
There isn’t one treatment that suits every wrist. What may help depends on where the arthritis is, how much it interferes with your life and the movements you need for work or hobbies.
Your consultant will use this information, along with your examination and scans, to recommend a sensible starting point. Many people begin with non-surgical care and only consider an operation if pain continues to restrict them.
Treatment routes for osteoarthritis of the wrist
Changing how you perform a painful task can take some pressure off the wrist without needing to stop using your hand altogether. A supportive splint may also make certain activities feel easier.
Medications such as ibuprofen can help with pain and swelling, but they aren’t suitable for everyone. Your doctor can tell you which type of pain relief is safe for you.
Exercises may help to maintain movement and build support around the joint. Your care team will provide you with specific wrist exercises.
A steroid injection delivers medicine directly into the joint to settle irritation. It can provide temporary relief, giving you a more comfortable period in which to use your hand or work on your exercises.
Recovery goals after osteoarthritis of the wrist surgery
Phase 1 goals:
Keep the dressing, splint or cast clean and dry Raise your hand when advised to help with swelling Move your fingers as shown by your care team Attend your wound review
Phase 2 goals:
Continue protecting the wrist for the recommended time Begin approved exercises when it’s safe Work with your hand therapist if this forms part of your care Build up light daily tasks gradually
Phase 3 goals:
Develop strength without overloading the healing joint Reduce your reliance on a splint when advised Prepare for work or driving based on your progress Return to heavier tasks only after your specialist agrees
Working with Hand and Wrist professionals and teams
Our hand and wrist specialists support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places high demands on their hands and wrists. Working closely with radiologists, physiotherapists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they provide coordinated care from diagnosis through to rehabilitation, helping each person return safely to sport, work or everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.
Our Experts - Leaders in Hand and Wrist treatment
How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1U 2EU
- 020 3195 2442
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
Fortius Clinic Marylebone Wing
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore StreetW1U 2SB
- +442031952442
- Open 24 hours
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT guided injection
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
Take a tour of our clinic virtually through Google 360 views here.
We are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground station is Wimbledon (District Line), which also has rail and tramlink services from central London and beyond.
There is no parking available at the clinic, but we have a number of parking facilities all within a 10-12 minute walk of the clinic: Centre Court Car Park, Broadway Car Park, and Hartfield Road Car Park. Please note that all of these facilities are paid car parks.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple RoadSW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
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