Wrist Arthritis

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

The term arthritis simply refers to the condition of a joint losing its smooth cartilage surface. When this happens the two bones that make up the joint begin to contact each other. This friction and grinding causes pain, swelling, stiffness and further cartilage loss.Osteoarthritis has no special cause other than use of the joint for many years throughout life. Other types of arthritis are special inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or post-traumatic damage to the joint causing arthritis.

MEDICAL HISTORY

The symptoms usually set in slowly over time. Eventually patients complain of lost function, pain, stiffness, swelling, weakness, and sometimes deformity. The doctor will ask questions to determine whether the arthritis is post-traumatic, osteoarthritis, or a special inflammatory arthritis.

EXAMINATION

The wrist joint is tested for range of motion, stability, alignment, and any grinding during movement.

ADDITIONAL TESTS

Plain x-rays show the degree of arthritis and any bone loss or erosion that may have happened.

TREATMENT OPTIONS
  NON-OPERATIVE SURGICAL WRIST JOINT ARTHROPLASTY SURGICAL PARTIAL WRIST FUSION SURGICAL TOTAL WRIST FUSION
CONSISTS OF Oral arthritis medications, cortisone joint injections Removal of 3 of the arthritis bones, allowing new contact surfaces Removal of 1 of the arthritic bones, fusion of the others Fusion of all the wrist bones
FEATURES Limited number of injections is allowed Outpatient surgery, early rehabilitation Outpatient surgery, screws hold the fused bones together Requires bone graft from the hip, plate and screws hold the fusion
ADVANTAGES Avoids surgery Better motion Some motion preserved, durable result Solid, durable, effective for any pattern of arthritis
DISADVANTAGESOnly treats the symptoms not the underlying bone contactTemporary weakness, only effective if cartilage remains on the large central wrist bone, result may worsen over timeLimited motion, need to fuse, pain relief may not be completeNo motion, plate implanted into body
Scroll/swipe >
RECOVERY

Sutures are removed in the office at 2 weeks. Splints are used for protection for the first 4 weeks. After this arthroplasty patients begin outpatient rehabilitation to increase motion and strength, a process that takes several months to develop. Fusions take between 8-10 weeks to unite solidly. After this time the outpatient rehabilitation begins. All patients are expected to use the wrist for everyday activities by just after 3 months from surgery. Strength and function continue to improve gradually over time.

Dr. Mark Henry is a true healer; the finest most competent doctor I've ever encountered. I am forever grateful to Dr. Henry and the entire staff for saving my finger and facilitating my complete recovery with grace and seriousness of intent. Thank you.
Dr. Henry brought me peace of mind about my ganglion cyst recovery, and made the entire process of getting the cyst removed easy and manageable.
Very happy I came here for the surgery, etc.
I was very impressed with how I was treated by the doctor as well as the Medical assistant. All my questioned were answered and I was treated with care and respect. Luis was Awesome! Doctor Henry was very informative. I will recommend him to friends and family
excellent! dr & staff!
very confortable,Dr. Henrry very professional and very friendly staff
I appreciate the expertise and experience of Dr. Henry!!! I know I had the BEST hand surgeon!!!
Dr. Henry and his staff are phenomenal. Dr. Henry has a gift for not only treating health issues extremely effectively, but he is extremely thorough and very efficient at communication and explaining everything he is doing and all of clearly outlining your options for future procedures.
dr henry does an excellent job of explaining the problem and solution, seems extremely competent
Great Doctor and staff. Luis is a wonderful asset to the staff
every body was excellent
Thank you for repairing my injury and being kind in the process.
The staff and the Dr. are very helpful and understanding .I have not yet seen a better staff like this office . I will recommend any one here .
Dr. Henry was very informative about the treatment and staff was pleasant.
I couldn't be more pleased with the level of service I received while in Dr. Henry's care. The level of detail in which my injury was explained and resolved, and the level of competency that was displayed throughout the healing was truly outstanding.
The doctor and staff are the best I have ever had. Very professionalism at its best.
best place for treatment of hand and wrist problems. Dr. Henry was recommended to me by a friend who is a medical care professional.
an experience beyond expectation
thank you
I am really happy with my experience. I always knew what was going on and over time got to know the staff based on how many times I've been here. Most importantly, I feel I got the right treatment for my injury.
every thing was really great
Very efficient practice
The staff is nice and everyone is up on the treatment. I feel confident that I am getting the best care and am glad I came here.
Outstanding service and results
no complaints hand is coming along very well
the whole group was very good, I had an excellent experience.
Dr. Henry was able to salvage my hand to make it usable again. I have already sent my Father here and he no longer has any pain in his wrist.
everyone was very helpful.
Thank you for sewing me back together and guiding me through my recovery!!!
you were very good, thank you very much

Houston Hand and Wrist