Elbow, Wrist & Hand

What It Is

Osteoarthritis affects millions of people throughout the world and is the most common type of arthritis (NHS, 2023a). Osteoarthritis is when one or more of the joints in your body degenerates. Joints are where the bone ends meet. In osteoarthritis the protective cartilage that covers the ends of the bones gradually breaks down, which causes pain and stiffness, and sometimes swelling, in the joint (NHS, 2023a). Osteoarthritis often affects the small joints of the hands and wrists, which makes it more difficult to perform regular activities.

Even though there are a lot of different types of arthritis, osteoarthritis is one of the most common types to affect the wrist (AAOS, n.d.). This type of arthritis is a progressive condition that wears away the smooth cartilage covering the bones' ends. Healthy joints can easily move because of this articular cartilage. In osteoarthritis the cartilage becomes frayed and rough and wears away, and because it has little or no blood supply it cannot heal itself. When bone rubs against bone, it causes pain and stiffness (AAOS, n.d.).

Wrist Osteoarthritis Anatomy

The wrist connects the forearm and the hand together. It consists of two bones in the forearm, the ulna and the radius, and eight smaller carpal bones arranged in two rows of four. This unique arrangement provides you with a great range of movement, including straightening, bending, rotation and side-to-side movement. The ends of the bones are covered with articular cartilage, a smooth and slick layer that protects and cushions the bones as you move your hand and wrist (AAOS, n.d.).

Osteoarthritis in the wrist can develop from normal wear and tear, particularly in older people and those with a family history of arthritis. It can also develop, sometimes many years later, after an injury such as a broken wrist bone or a torn ligament; this is called post-traumatic arthritis (AAOS, n.d.).

Not a diagnosis — for more information, contact me or another trusted healthcare provider.

Treatment

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat Wrist Osteoarthritis

Exercise is one of the most important treatments for osteoarthritis, and specific exercises can help improve movement and function in the wrist; it needs to be built up carefully, because doing too much too quickly, or the wrong sort of exercise, may damage your joints (NHS, 2023b; NICE, 2022; AAOS, n.d.). I can guide you through the right exercises, with hands-on treatment and advice on protecting your joints. See the My Approach tab for how I work.

1. Modification of Activities

Stopping or limiting the activities that cause the pain to worsen is the first step in relieving your symptoms (AAOS, n.d.).

2. Ice and Heat

Applying hot or cold packs to the joint can relieve the pain of osteoarthritis in some people; for example, a hot-water bottle filled with either hot or cold water, or special packs that are cooled in the freezer or heated in the microwave (NHS, 2023b). There are lots of ways to use ice and heat, and I can show you the best way to use them at home. One possible technique is "contrast soaks", which may help to reduce swelling (AAOS, n.d.): fill a basin with cold water and place your hands and wrists inside for 2 minutes, then empty it, fill it with warm (not hot) water and place your hands in for 2 minutes, then empty it and repeat with cold water.

3. Pain Relief

Some anti-inflammatory painkillers (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs) come as creams or gels that you rub on the skin over the joint. The NHS says these topical NSAIDs can be particularly effective for osteoarthritis in the hands, and some are available without a prescription (NHS, 2023b); AAOS OrthoInfo also notes that topical NSAIDs can be applied to the skin around an arthritic wrist (AAOS, n.d.). (This medicine information comes from the NHS and AAOS OrthoInfo, not from me. Always check with a pharmacist or your family doctor or nurse practitioner before taking any medicine.)

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Options outside my scope

Prescription painkillers: if creams or gels do not ease the pain, your family doctor or nurse practitioner may discuss anti-inflammatory tablets or other painkillers with you (NHS, 2023b).
Steroid injections: cortisone is a powerful anti-inflammatory medicine that a doctor can inject into the wrist; it may be offered when other treatments have not worked, and the relief may only be temporary (NHS, 2023b; AAOS, n.d.).
Surgery: if other treatments have not helped and your daily life is seriously affected, a surgeon may discuss an operation, such as removing three of the small wrist bones (proximal row carpectomy), fusing some or all of the wrist bones together (fusion), or replacing the wrist joint (wrist replacement) (AAOS, n.d.; NHS, 2023b).

How I can help (see the My Approach tab)

Exercises to keep the wrist moving and build strength and grip
Gentle hands-on treatment and joint mobilisation for stiffness
Showing you how to use heat, ice and contrast soaks at home
Joint protection and activity advice

Tips

If your symptoms get worse or you are struggling to cope, you need to review your treatment program with your doctor or with me (AAOS, n.d.). Your doctor may ask you to see an orthopaedic consultant, or a rheumatologist.
Osteoarthritis can develop from normal wear and tear in the wrist, especially in those who have a family history of the disease (AAOS, n.d.).

Treatment

My Approach

Wrist osteoarthritis is a long-term condition, so I treat it as ongoing care rather than a quick fix. My aim is to ease pain and stiffness, keep the wrist moving, and build strength and grip so everyday tasks get easier.

I start by assessing how your wrist, hand and forearm move, your grip strength, and which daily tasks bring the pain on. I'll also ask about any old injuries to the wrist, since these can be part of the picture.

When It's Flared

Keeping everything gentle, within what you can comfortably tolerate
Very light, small joint movements to ease pain
Gentle work on the forearm and hand muscles, and the shoulder and neck if they've been compensating
Cool applications in the clinic when the joint is warm and swollen, and I'll show you how to use ice safely at home
Pain-free movement and gentle holds rather than resisted exercise

As It Settles

Warm applications first to loosen things, then hands-on work for the muscles crossing the wrist
Gentle joint mobilisation within the wrist's comfortable range, with care at the ends of range
Gentle self-stretches for the wrist, fingers and thumb, with the joint supported
Strength and grip work with putty, a soft ball, bands and light weights, built up gradually
Practising real tasks: buttons, jar lids, writing, typing
Contrast soaks and warm-water movement at home

Protecting Your Joints

If pain lasts more than an hour after an activity, scale that activity back next time
Balancing activity with rest, and avoiding wringing or long spells in one tight grip
Larger, soft-grip handles and other tools that take strain off the wrist

If your symptoms get worse or you're struggling to cope, we'll review the plan together, and I may suggest you see your family doctor or nurse practitioner.

What to Expect

Typical Course

Typical course: Most people come once or twice a week at first, then weekly, with a reassessment at about 4 to 6 weeks, then less often as you manage more on your own, with occasional check-ins. Osteoarthritis is long term, and most people notice less pain and stiffness after about 6 to 12 weeks of regular exercise.

What I Focus On

Joint Protection

Gentle Mobilisation

Grip & Strength

Warm & Cool Applications

Daily Function

Sources

References

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (n.d.) Arthritis of the Wrist. OrthoInfo. Available at: https://www.orthoinfo.org/en/diseases--conditions/arthritis-of-the-wrist/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
NHS (2023a) Osteoarthritis. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/osteoarthritis/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
NHS (2023b) Osteoarthritis - Treatment. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/osteoarthritis/treatment/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2022) Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management (NG226). Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng226/chapter/Recommendations (Accessed: 7 October 2026).

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooWrist Osteoarthritis

What It Is

Wrist Osteoarthritis Anatomy

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat Wrist Osteoarthritis

1. Modification of Activities

2. Ice and Heat

3. Pain Relief

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Tips

My Approach

When It's Flared

As It Settles

Protecting Your Joints

Typical Course

References

Related Conditions

Book a session

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooWrist Osteoarthritis

What It Is

Wrist Osteoarthritis Anatomy

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat Wrist Osteoarthritis

1. Modification of Activities

2. Ice and Heat

3. Pain Relief

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Tips

My Approach

When It's Flared

As It Settles

Protecting Your Joints

Typical Course

References

Related Conditions

Hand Osteoarthritis

Thumb Osteoarthritis

Trigger Finger

Bowler's Thumb

Book a session