Osteoarthritis wrist

Wrist osteoarthritis is one of the most common wrist conditions. Osteoarthritis is a form of rheumatism in fact, it is the most common rheumatic disorder affecting the musculoskeletal system. Two other common types of rheumatism are soft-tissue rheumatism and inflammatory rheumatism. In 2015, approximately 1.2 million people in the Netherlands were diagnosed with osteoarthritis by their general practitioner. The wrist joint is one of the joints most frequently affected. Wrist osteoarthritis is most common in women, people over the age of 45, those who are overweight (obesity), individuals who place excessive strain on their joints, and people with a family history of osteoarthritis.

What is wrist osteoarthritis?

Wrist osteoarthritis is a rheumatic condition affecting the posture and movement system. It can occur as a stand-alone disorder or develop as a result of joint inflammation or weakened ligaments. Many people associate osteoarthritis with “wear and tear” of the bones or joints. Statements such as “my joint is worn out” or “I have a worn-out wrist” are commonly heard in the doctor’s office. However, this is not entirely accurate: the joint is not simply “worn out”, but has undergone structural changes.