An articulation connecting the hand’s radius and carpal bones is called the wrist joint, or radiocarpal joint. The location where the forearm and hand meet is identified by a synovial joint of the condyloid type.
Your radiocarpal joint, which joins your hand and arm, can be replaced during a wrist replacement procedure. Pain is lessened and the range of motion is improved with the surgery. It may be used as a therapy for arthritis or wrist injuries. A typical wrist joint should last 10 to 15 years.
Anatomy of Wrist Joint
Compared to the hip or the knee, the wrist is a different kind of joint. The end of the forearm is connected to the hand by two rows of bones on the hand side of the wrist. There are four of these bones in each row, which are referred to as carpal bones. When the wrist is moved, the carpal bones move together.
The metacarpals, which link the wrist to the fingers, are located on the final row of carpal bones, after the carpal bones. The forearm’s radius and ulna, along with the first row of carpal bones, form a joint that is crucial for wrist flexion and extension. The majority of this joint is made up of the radius, which is larger at the wrist than the ulna on the thumb side of the wrist. On the little finger (pinky) side of the wrist, the ulna is smaller than the radius. The distal radioulnar joint, which connects the radius and ulna, is crucial for forearm rotation.
A smooth, elastic substance known as cartilage covers the ends of the bones at the joints. In joint motion, cartilage produces a smooth surface that allows the bones to move in unison with one another. Similar to tires on an automobile, cartilage can deteriorate with use or be harmed by an injury or illness (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis). Arthritis is another name for a joint’s loss of cartilage. Arthritis can cause impaired joint function and is often painful.
Why is Wrist Replacement Surgery Done?
Age, trauma, infection, or illness can cause cartilage to deteriorate or wear away, causing the bones to rub against one another and eventually wear out the ends. A frequently excruciating arthritic condition results from this.
- The most prevalent type of arthritis, osteoarthritis, is caused by a progressive deterioration of the cartilage covering bones. The usual causes of osteoarthritis include old age and years of use.
- Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term inflammatory condition of the joints that causes discomfort, swelling, and stiffness. Both sides of the body typically have many joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis. The autoimmune condition that leads the body to attack its own joints is the cause of it.
- Trauma or joint injury causes posttraumatic arthritis. Osteoarthritis and this type of arthritis are most comparable. Posttraumatic arthritis, however, develops more quickly than osteoarthritis and, in contrast to the latter, is linked to a traumatic event such as, a broken bone after a vehicle accident.
Every type of arthritis has the potential to impair wrist strength and range of motion, leading to restricted hand usage.
Wrist Replacement Surgery Cost in India
Wrist Replacement Surgery Cost in India starts from INR 3,70,000 (4500 USD). For individuals interested in wrist replacement surgery in India, the country provides first-rate facilities with state-of-the-art technology and equipment. Having access to the greatest and most experienced doctors for wrist replacement surgery in India also guarantees very high-quality care. Wrist replacement surgery cost in India is less than in other well-known countries.
What Are The Types of Diagnosis Done for Wrist Replacement Surgery?
Hand surgery subspecialists are the best candidates to undertake wrist replacement surgery; however, any skilled orthopedic surgeon will do. Prior to proposing the surgery, the specialist in bones and joints will:
- Inquire about your overall health and any underlying medical conditions.
- Inquire about the nature of your wrist pain, its duration, and its impact on your daily activities.
- Check the strength and range of motion of your wrist.
- To see images of the affected bones, get an X-ray of your wrist taken.
- Make sure you’re well enough for surgery by having additional tests done, such as blood work.
- Verify whether alternative, more cautious treatment choices have been explored and whether you were informed of alternative surgical possibilities.
How Wrist Replacement Surgery is Performed?
Less than two hours are typically needed for the surgery. Surgical team members will:
- Put you to sleep by administering anesthesia through an IV in your arm. Most patients will also have an upper extremity block to help with pain management following surgery that lasts longer.
- Make a cut or incision across the upper part of your wrist.
- Cut away any damaged bone and cartilage, then remove your joint.
- Slide the prosthesis in.
- Use bone cement, screws, or pins to secure it to the bones on each side of your joint.
- Verify that the prosthetic joint is firmly and securely in place.
- Verify that your joint moves as it should.
- Make sure that the surrounding tissues, including the nerves and tendons, are repositioned.
- Stitch up the incision to close it.
- Put a splint and sterile bandages around your wrist.
- Combining wrist replacement surgery with other treatments can address related issues with tendons, nerves, and thumb or finger joints.
Wrist Replacement Surgery Recovery
During the first several weeks following surgery, you will frequently need to wear a cast or splint. While pain relief is immediate, you will need to gradually restore movement and eventually build strength and endurance over several weeks of rehabilitation exercises.
The longevity of the implant will be impacted by the physical demands made on the wrist prosthesis. There are going to be restrictions. For example:
- Using pneumatic tools or a hammer may need to be avoided.
- You’ll have to restrict how much weight you lift.
- You should refrain from engaging in activities that could cause a fall because a fall on an outstretched hand could shatter the prosthesis just as it could fracture a natural wrist.
When used carefully, a wrist replacement should restore roughly 50% of the natural range of motion in the wrist and last 10 to 15 years. Failures are more likely in patients who disregard post-operative instructions. Therefore, choosing the right patient for this treatment is crucial to achieving a positive result.
Long-term monitoring is recommended, as it is with all implants. Generally, your surgeon can detect any emerging disorders or issues with a follow-up every year or two.
Why Choose Dr. N. K. Magu?
Dr. N. K. Magu is a world-renowned orthopedic surgeon from India whose outstanding expertise and dedication to the field have gained him international fame. Over the course of several decades, Dr. N. K. Magu has proven to be an exceptional specialist in a number of orthopedic fields, especially when it comes to hip preservation, reconstruction, proximal femoral osteotomies, and other related areas. His reputation as one of the best orthopedic surgeons in the world has been cemented by his unparalleled commitment to enhancing the quality of life for his many patients.
