The wrist is a unique joint that must be both flexible and strong. Damage to the cartilage can cause long-term discomfort or disability. Injuries, overuse, and arthritis can all cause cartilage problems in the wrist, which can be treated with medication, rest, or surgery.
The human wrist is a truly unique joint, as it is both one of the most flexible and one of the strongest in the body. It must be flexible to allow for a wide range of motion for the hand and very stable to allow the hand to pick up and manipulate heavy objects. The joints, bones, tendons and ligaments that make up the wrist depend on cartilage to cushion them and prevent serious injury. When the cartilage in the wrist is damaged from a fall, awkward twisting, repetitive activity, or arthritis, the entire joint and hand tend to be affected. Torn or weakened cartilage can cause long-term discomfort or even disability if not treated right away.
Wrist cartilage problems frequently occur when people sustain direct injuries to their wrists from sudden falls or twists. When too much pressure and strain is placed on the wrist, as commonly happens when a person is trying to recover from a fall, the cartilage surrounding the wrist joints can stretch and tear. The result is often inflammation, swelling, severe local pain, and limited hand movement.
One particularly debilitating problem involves tearing of the triangular fibrocartilage (TFC), which is a disc-shaped area of cartilage that cushions the ulna, radius, and several smaller bones and ligaments in the wrist. If the TFC and surrounding ligaments tear due to injury, an individual can expect to experience chronic pain, even when not moving the hand. Movement is very limited, swelling and irritation may extend down to the fingers and up the arm, and a clicking sound may be felt when trying to bend the wrist.
Conditions involving the cartilage in the wrist can also occur from repetitive overuse of the joint. A person whose job is to swing a hammer, for example, may experience irritation and inflammation in their wrist. Overuse does not usually cause cartilage tissue to tear, but the cartilage can thin, causing an audible click when you move the hand, hand and grip weakness, and local swelling.
Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis can cause the cartilage tissue in the wrist and other joints in the body to break down. Arthritis in the wrist can lead to significant cartilage loss and excessive stress on the joints. Many people with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis experience joint pain and stiffness, swelling, and weakness. Without treatment, arthritis can leave your wrist joints deformed and dysfunctional.
Treatments for cartilage problems in the wrist depend on the cause. Doctors can examine the wrists by taking x-rays or X-rays and by conducting physical exams. Forms of arthritis can often be treated by taking prescribed anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medications, although surgery may be required in advanced cases. Wrist strains may be able to heal on their own in two to four weeks with enough rest and the application of ice packs. Torn cartilage often requires surgery and weeks of rehabilitation therapy to fully heal.
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