Joint replacement surgery of the wrist has not been a very functional and accepted treatment in the past. Now we have better implants and improved surgical techniques allowing for better results.
Both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis may result in joint destruction requiring total wrist arthroplasty, as well as post-traumatic degeneration. The old treatment option of wrist fusion--making the wrist stiff-- should no longer be regarded as the gold standard. You can now enjoy a pain free wrist and preserve normal, or near normal, motion.
Though wrist replacement has risks and may not last a lifetime, the techniques, components and outcome studies have revealed that it is a valid alternative to wrist fusion for painful wrist arthritis.
