Wrist osteoarthritis

Matthew

Hello & wishing you all well.

I am diagnosed with bilateral SLAC wrists and the Ortho specialist indicates that they are both at the full fusion stage. The first stage of treatment will be to try steroids then possibly deinervation. It is extremely daunting. I would be very grateful for any advice. My IT knowledge is not terribly good so apologies in advance if I am slow to reply. Many thanks and really hope things improve for us all.

Matthew

CarylW

Hello @Matthew

I am glad you have found our online community, and I hope that members will be able to share their experiences with you.

I hope that this information from our website will be helpful to give you a bit more information:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/osteoarthritis-of-the-hand-and-wrist/

Do keep in touch and let us know how you are.

Best wishes

Caryl

Matthew

Hello Caryl. Thanks very much for your welcome & link to the advice. very helpful.

I hope to look into the prospect of total wrist fusion which I find quite daunting. I am told by the Ortho Hand specialist and the Hand physios that it largely removes the wrist pain.

Best wishes Matthew

Ange66

Morning Matthew. I appreciate the prospect of surgery is daunting but I would suggest "don't delay!". I have OA in both thumb joints. It's excruciating and debilitating. I work as an operating department scrub and anaesthetic assistant. I know the business well. I was offered surgery to my thumb back in 2019 and decided against proceeding, one reason being my fear of surgery (even though I'm a health professional, familiar with the routine). I am now suffering excruciating pain and extreme difficulty in managing daily tasks. I'm sitting on a seemingly never ending waiting list for surgery. My advice, for what it's worth...take everything you are offered and definitely say "Yes" to the operation. You are probably already coping with a lack of dexterity and movement in your wrists but the pain will never get better. Good luck Matthew.

Matthew

Dear Ange66.

Thanks so much for your comments. Really sorry to hear about your thumbs. Greatly appreciate all your hard work in theatres. I worked in the NHS and have seen how hard you work.

I think I will take your advice though it’s likely to be a hard journey as both wrists are affected (+one knee). A rock and a hard place.

Hope very much that you get the operations you need as soon as possible. Thanks again & God bless.

Matthew

rubysdad1

Likewise I have a date for trapeziectomy but prefer to avoid surgery.Are there any supplements eg Devils Claw that really do work to greatly reduce inflamation and pain?

gazrobbo

Im the same with my wrists, cant grip things properly, my hands are just there for show, got occupational therapy soon about my wrists but don't want surgery as ive heard bad things

remmingtonwildhunter

Good morning Matthew ive had a bilateral wrist fusion my right in 97 and left 2005 im still doing my job as a plantsman gardener still ride my bike my other sports stopped when my knees went...

They take your ilac crest ie top of hip to put in your wrist 5 or 6 screws and a plate 36 clips in plaster 2-3 weeks...

IanS

I also have this issue as a result of an unresolved fracture. I am meant to receive an annual cortisone injection but this has been delayed due to the NHS waiting lists. I am seriously considering wrist fusion, as the pain has become difficult, but I am very nervous of surgery.