Dr. Pickart offers treatment for wrist arthritis to the residents of Ventura, Camarillo, and the surrounding areas of California.
How Does Wrist Arthritis Develop?
Arthritis is an inflammatory condition that affects the joints of the bones, thereby causing stiffness, swelling, and pain. When arthritis affects the wrists, people can find it difficult to do even simple daily tasks. Arthritis in the wrist can be caused by either rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or osteoarthritis (OA).
What Is Osteoarthritis?
OA is a degenerative disease that causes the cartilage to erode. When this happens, it causes the bones to rub against one another, which leads to joint stiffness and pain.
How Does Osteoarthritis Develop?
OA develops, over time, from a past injury or usual everyday wear and tear of the joints.
What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disorder that affects the immune system of the body. Unlike OA, the condition is not produced by wear and tear to the joints but is a disease that affects the joint lining, thereby causing swelling and pain and eventually, in some instances, erosion of the bones or joint deformity. RA generally attacks more than one joint, beginning with the smaller joints first.
The inflammatory disease is symmetrical and, therefore, often affects the joints on each side of the body, such as those in the hands and wrists. Because RA frequently attacks the ulnus and radius, or the two forearm bones, it can cause the tendons that are used to extend the fingers to tear. As a result, patients with RA often suffer from bent wrists.
What Causes Rheumatoid Arthritis?
The precise cause for RA is unknown. However, scientists believe that a chemical or an environmental component may activate the condition in people who are genetically predisposed to the disease.
What Symptoms Are Produced by Osteoarthritis?
OA, when it affects the wrists, is exhibited by joint swelling and pain, limited movement, and weakness. Typically, the joint in the wrist is affected.
What Are the Symptoms Associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis?
RA presents the same symptomatology as OA, with sufferers also complaining about stiffness and swelling in the hand, particularly the knuckles.
When Is Surgery Recommended for Wrist Arthritis?
While limiting your daily tasks and taking medication (such as aspirin or ibuprofen) can alleviate some of the stiffness and pain, surgery is advised if non-surgical remedies no longer bring you any relief. By opting for surgery, you can restore the function of the wrist and hand and relieve some of the pain.
Wrist surgery options for wrist arthritis can include the following:
- Proximal row carpectomy. This procedure involves removing three of the carpal bones in the wrist. This form of wrist surgery is designed to reduce pain and increase mobility.
- Fusion. If wrist pain is caused by movement, then the doctor will fuse the bones in the carpus together into one bone. Fusions may be partial or complete. In the cases of severe arthritis, a complete fusion is often advised. While this treatment will eliminate wrist movement, it will not prevent the patient from rotating or using his forearm.
- Joint replacement surgery. Joint replacement surgery assists the patient in regaining mobility. The surgery involves removing the damaged joint and replacing it with a prosthesis, or artificial device.
How Much Does Treatment of Wrist Arthritis Cost in Ventura?
Pickart Plastic Surgery currently works with CareCredit® to provide financing option for patients. Within a few hours, you can be pre-approved for your treatment.
Dr. Pickart specializes in wrist surgery; visit our other wrist surgery pages including carpal tunnel syndrome and De Quervain’s Tendonitis.
If you are a resident of Ventura, Camarillo, or the surrounding areas in California and are considering cosmetic or reconstructive surgery, call Pickart Plastic Surgery at (805) 232-5688. Our talented staff members can answer all your questions and also schedule your consultation.
