Wrist Fusion Surgery Specialists Serving Louisville, KY

Louisville Orthopaedic Clinic in Louisville, Kentucky, is among a select few local orthopedic practices offering specialized treatment for hand and wrist conditions. One such treatment approach is wrist fusion surgery, or total wrist arthrodesis. Let’s take a closer look at this procedure and why it is performed.

What Is Wrist Fusion Surgery?

The chief goal of wrist fusion surgery is to relieve arthritis pain and strengthen the wrist joint. It involves fusing multiple bones together, including the metacarpal bones of the hand, the carpal bones of the wrist, and the forearm bone (radius). Fusing these 12 or 13 small structures into one large bone eliminates the painful bone-one-bone grinding that results from arthritis. Wrist arthrodesis may also be recommended to improve joint alignment following a severe injury.

One notable drawback to this procedure is that the wrist can no longer bend following wrist fusion surgery. However, many patients feel this loss of normal wrist function is well worth it, as surgery can relieve painful arthritis symptoms and substantially improve joint strength.

When Is Wrist Fusion Surgery Necessary?

Wrist fusion surgery is not a primary form of treatment for wrist arthritis or injury. It’s typically only considered if a patient has severe, unrelenting discomfort that does not respond to conservative treatments, such as physical therapy and medication, and less invasive surgical options. Wrist replacement surgery may be an alternative to arthrodesis for certain patients.

If you’re considering wrist fusion surgery as treatment for your arthritis, you probably have plenty of questions. We’re here to answer them! Contact Louisville Orthopaedic Clinic today to schedule an in-person or virtual appointment with an orthopedic hand specialist on our team. We’re proud to serve Louisville and all surrounding communities.