Midcarpal Osteoarthritis
Recognising the Symptoms and Symptoms
Painful Wrist – (Midcarpal) Osteoarthritis
If your wrist aches deep inside, especially with twisting or gripping motions, you may have midcarpal arthritis. While less common than other wrist arthritis types, it’s important to get it diagnosed. I offer up-to-date strategies to manage your pain and preserve your wrist function.
Understanding Midcarpal Osteoarthritis
Midcarpal osteoarthritis impacts the middle row of small wrist bones, leading to pain and limited function. It’s less common than other wrist arthritis types, but it’s still important to recognise. Let’s take a look in more detail:
Please don’t ignore your wrist pain! I’m experienced in diagnosing and treating this less common type of arthritis.
Midcarpal Osteoarthritis FAQs
Midcarpal Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis. It affects the middle joint in your wrist and the degeneration of the cartilage in this joint will lead to pain, stiffness and reduced mobility. The good news is that there’s plenty I can do for you!
The primary cause of Midcarpal Osteoarthritis is the wear and tear of the cartilage that occurs over time. It is typically due to aging. It can also result from injury or repeated stress on the wrist, which accelerates cartilage breakdown, causing pain and loss of function.
Individuals over the age of 50 are more likely to develop this condition. It can occur in younger people who have experienced significant wrist injuries. People who engage in repetitive wrist motions such as athletes or manual laborers, are also at increased risk.
Symptoms you may be experiencing include pain and swelling in the wrist, especially during or after movement, decreased range of motion and a feeling of grinding or catching within the joint. Stiffness in the morning or after periods of inactivity is also common while very occasionally patients can become symptomatic straight after an injury. With this type of injury, it is not the injury itself that causes the exacerbation but for some reason the body “kicks off” a cycle of unremitting pain which is very difficult to treat!
I will get to the diagnosis typically using examination, during which I will assess pain points and range of motion, then arrange some imaging tests, such as X-rays and MRI scans. I often use these to confirm the diagnosis and assess the extent of joint damage and hence options moving forwards.
While there is no cure for osteoarthritis, I can help you manage your symptoms with different treatments while I focus on minimising pain, maintaining hand function and slowing progression of the condition.
We always start with non-surgical options like pain management with medications, wrist splints or braces to support the joint and physical therapy to improve mobility. In more severe cases, I can use cortisone (steroid) injections and surgical interventions such as joint fusion or replacement might be considered as a last resort. There is always something I can do for you so don’t fret!
I always encourage patients to modify activities to reduce stress on the wrist, use assistive devices to grip or hold items and engaging in regular gentle exercise to keep the joint moving and these can help manage symptoms. Occupational therapy may also provide strategies to protect the joint during daily tasks but remember that arthritis likes to be moved but NOT loaded. That means keep it moving but don’t stress it!
Yes, by all means do some gentle exercises as they can be beneficial. This is because they help maintain joint function and reduce stiffness. It’s important to consult with a physiotherapist to get a personalised exercise plan that won’t exacerbate the condition because arthritis like to be moved and not loaded so if you do too much it will make it worse!
The progression of Midcarpal Osteoarthritis varies between individuals but with appropriate management, most people can control pain and maintain a good quality of life. I can help you monitor it and adjustments in treatment can help manage the condition effectively over time.
