Wrist joint replacement
Wrist arthritis can cause ongoing pain, stiffness and difficulty using your hand, making everyday activities increasingly uncomfortable.
Specialist expertise
Our wrist and hand consultants use their experience and clinical knowledge to understand your symptoms, assess the condition of your wrist and recommend the most appropriate treatment for you.
Personalised care
We'll take the time to understand how your wrist is affecting your everyday life, explain your treatment options clearly and create a rehabilitation plan around your individual needs and recovery goals.
Flexible access to care
Whether you're self-funding, using private medical insurance or have a referral, we'll help you access specialist care as quickly as possible.
What is wrist joint replacement?
A wrist joint replacement, also known as wrist arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure used to replace damaged parts of the wrist joint with an artificial joint, known as a prosthesis. Wrist replacement is less common than joint replacement surgery for the hip or knee. It may be considered for people with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis when symptoms have not improved with other treatments. Unlike wrist fusion, which permanently joins the bones together to prevent movement, wrist replacement aims to relieve pain while preserving movement in the joint. This can help you carry out everyday activities more comfortably.
What are the symptoms?
Wrist arthritis can cause symptoms such as:
- Wrist pain, which may worsen during movement or activity
- Stiffness and reduced movement
- Difficulty using the hand and wrist for everyday activities
- Weakness in the wrist or hand
- Swelling or tenderness around the wrist
If your symptoms are affecting your everyday activities or have not improved with other treatments, a specialist assessment can help determine the most appropriate treatment for you.
How is it diagnosed?
Your consultant will begin by talking to you about your symptoms, how they are affecting your everyday life and any treatments you have already tried. They'll then examine your wrist and assess its movement and function.
To understand the condition of your wrist and determine whether joint replacement may be appropriate, we may recommend:
- A detailed medical history
- Physical examination
- Assessment of wrist movement and function
- X-rays to assess the condition of the wrist joint
- Other scans where further assessment is needed
How is it treated?
Your consultant will talk you through the available treatment options and work closely with you to decide on the approach that best suits your symptoms, lifestyle and recovery goals.
If wrist replacement is recommended, treatment involves:
- Removing the worn or damaged ends of the wrist bones
- Replacing the damaged joint surfaces with an artificial prosthesis
- Securing the prosthesis in the correct position
- Wearing a cast after surgery to protect and immobilise the wrist while it begins to heal
- Following a personalised rehabilitation programme to gradually restore movement and strength
Wrist replacement may sometimes be combined with other procedures, such as tendon repair, depending on your individual condition.
Treatment routes for Wrist joint replacement
Wrist replacement may be considered when pain and other symptoms caused by osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis have not improved with other treatments. The aim is to relieve pain while preserving movement in the wrist, helping you return to everyday activities.
During surgery, the damaged ends of the wrist bones are removed and replaced with an artificial joint. Your consultant will explain the procedure in detail, including what to expect during your recovery and rehabilitation.
Recovery goals after Wrist joint replacement
Phase 1
Protecting the wrist while it heals Managing pain and swelling Wearing a cast to immobilise the wrist for the recommended period Beginning gentle movement when appropriate
Phase 2
Once the cast has been removed, you will usually wear a splint for a further six to eight weeks while continuing your rehabilitation. Your personalised programme will focus on: Gradually restoring wrist movement Improving strength and control Increasing confidence using your hand and wrist Returning to everyday activities
As your recovery progresses, rehabilitation aims to help you:
Build strength for everyday activities and work Improve wrist function and control Return to activities that are important to you Maintain your recovery and protect the wrist
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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