- Wrist Arthritis
Wrist Arthritis
At Mayo Clinic Healthcare in central London, our hand and wrist specialists assess and treat wrist arthritis. If you have ongoing wrist pain, stiffness, swelling or difficulty moving your hand, we can help identify the cause and develop a treatment plan based on your needs.
Wrist arthritis can make activities such as writing, opening containers, using a keyboard or lifting objects more difficult. An assessment can help you understand what is causing your symptoms and which treatments may improve comfort and hand function.
Arthritis is a broad term for conditions that cause pain, stiffness, swelling, or damage within a joint. Your wrist contains several small joints formed by the bones of your hand and forearm. Arthritis can affect one or more of these joints.
Types of wrist arthritis include:
Osteoarthritis, which involves changes to cartilage, bone and other tissues within the joint
Post-traumatic arthritis, which can develop after a fracture, ligament injury or other damage to the wrist
Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints
Psoriatic arthritis, an inflammatory condition associated with psoriasis
Gout, which develops when crystals collect in a joint and cause inflammation
Osteoarthritis in the wrist is less common than osteoarthritis in joints such as the knee or hip. When it occurs, it often develops after an earlier wrist injury. Rheumatoid arthritis commonly affects the wrists and may affect both sides.
Different types of arthritis need different treatments, so an accurate diagnosis is important.
The signs and symptoms of wrist arthritis may develop gradually or appear after an injury. Symptoms can also come and go or become more noticeable during a flare.
You may experience:
Pain during or after wrist movement
Stiffness, especially after resting or when you first wake up
Swelling around the wrist
Tenderness or warmth
Difficulty bending or turning your wrist
Difficulty gripping, lifting or carrying objects
Weakness in your hand or wrist
Clicking, grinding or catching when you move
Changes in the shape or alignment of the wrist
Rheumatoid arthritis may also cause tiredness, fever, or stiffness that lasts for a longer period in the morning. It commonly affects the hands, feet, and wrists.
Speak with a healthcare professional if your symptoms persist, become worse or interfere with work, sleep, or everyday activities.
Seek urgent medical advice if you develop:
Severe wrist pain that begins suddenly
Marked swelling around the joint
A change in the colour of the skin around the wrist
Fever, chills or a general feeling of being unwell
These symptoms may indicate an infection or another condition that needs prompt treatment.
You should also seek prompt assessment after an injury if you cannot move the wrist, have severe swelling or notice a change in its shape.
The causes of wrist arthritis depend on the type of condition affecting the joint.
Possible causes and contributing factors include:
A previous wrist fracture
Damage to ligaments that support the wrist
Changes in joint alignment after an injury
Rheumatoid arthritis or another autoimmune condition
Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis
Gout or another crystal-related condition
A family history of some forms of arthritis
Osteoarthritis may develop when cartilage and other tissues within the joint change over time. In the wrist, this often follows an earlier injury rather than ageing alone.
Repeated wrist movements can cause or worsen several types of wrist pain, but they do not always mean that you have arthritis. Tendon conditions, nerve compression, cysts, and previous injuries can cause similar symptoms.
Your consultant will consider your symptoms, medical history, previous injuries, and examination findings when identifying the likely cause.
Your assessment begins with a consultation and physical examination.
Your specialist may:
Ask when your symptoms began and how they have changed
Review previous injuries and medical conditions
Ask how your symptoms affect work, hobbies and daily activities
Examine the wrist for swelling, warmth and tenderness
Assess movement, strength and stability
Test your grip and hand function
Check for signs of nerve or tendon problems
Your specialist may recommend one or more tests.
These may include:
X-rays, to assess bone structure, joint spacing, alignment and changes associated with arthritis
MRI, to provide detailed images of cartilage, ligaments, tendons and other soft tissues
Ultrasound, to assess inflammation, fluid and soft tissues around the joint
Blood tests, if rheumatoid arthritis or another inflammatory condition is suspected
Joint-fluid testing, if your specialist needs to check for infection, gout, or another cause of inflammation
Mayo Clinic Healthcare uses imaging alongside your symptoms and physical examination to support diagnosis and treatment planning. You may not need every test. Your specialist will explain which investigations may be helpful and why.
Treatment depends on the type of arthritis, the joints affected and how your symptoms influence daily life. Many people begin with non-surgical treatments. Your plan may include a combination of the following options:
Changes to activities
Temporarily reducing or adapting activities that increase pain may help settle your symptoms.
A hand therapist can suggest different ways to grip, lift, or use equipment so that you place less strain on the wrist. The aim is usually to protect the joint while continuing to move and use your hand when possible.
Wrist Splints
A wrist splint may support the joint and reduce pain during certain activities or symptom flares.
The type of splint and the amount of time you wear it will depend on your condition. A hand therapist can recommend an appropriate splint and explain how to use it without unnecessarily restricting movement.
Hand therapy and exercise
A physiotherapist may recommend exercises to:
Maintain or improve wrist movement
Strengthen the muscles supporting the wrist
Improve grip and hand function
Help you carry out daily activities more comfortably
Your therapist can show you how to perform exercises safely and adjust them if they increase your symptoms.
Medication
Your consultant may recommend medicine to reduce pain or inflammation. Options depend on your diagnosis, general health and any other medicines you take.
Your consultant may discuss a corticosteroid injection if it is appropriate for the affected joint and type of arthritis.
An injection can reduce pain and inflammation for a period of time, but the effect is usually temporary. Your consultant will explain the likely benefits, limitations and possible risks.
Further treatment
If symptoms continue despite conservative treatment, your consultant can discuss whether further assessment or additional treatment options are appropriate.
Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London does not perform wrist surgery. If surgery may be appropriate, your consultant can explain your options and coordinate a referral to a hand and wrist surgeon.
Patients choose Mayo Clinic Healthcare for access to experienced orthopaedic specialists and coordinated care for conditions affecting the wrist and hand.
Our approach includes:
Consultant-led assessment and diagnosis
Access to advanced imaging and specialised diagnostic testing where clinically appropriate
Personalised treatment plans based on your symptoms, lifestyle and goals
Collaboration with specialists in orthopaedics, rheumatology, physiotherapy and diagnostic imaging
Evidence-based care informed by international clinical expertise
As part of the globally recognised Mayo Clinic network, we are committed to helping you understand your condition and supporting you throughout your care.
Private health insurance
Mayo Clinic Healthcare works with all major private health insurance providers, including AXA PPP, Aviva, BUPA, Health Partners Group, Vitality Health and WPA. Self-pay arrangements are also available.
Request an Appointment
If you have signs or symptoms of wrist arthritis, our specialists can assess your condition and recommend appropriate next steps.
Whether you need a diagnosis or advice about treatment for arthritis pain in your wrists, our team will help you understand your options.
Request an appointment or call +44 (0) 207 871 2575 to speak with our team.
Medically Reviewed by
Dr Anna Nuttall, Consultant Rheumatologist
- Wrist Arthritis