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Wrist arthrodesis is surgery that fuses bones across one or more wrist joints. The bones heal together to create a stable connection and reduce pain from a damaged joint. A total wrist fusion removes wrist joint motion, while a partial fusion preserves movement in joints that remain unfused.
read more about wrist arthrodesis ...A surgeon may consider fusion for severe wrist pain caused by arthritis, injury, or another condition that damages joint surfaces. It is generally discussed when treatments such as a splint, medication, or injections have not provided enough relief. The choice between partial and total fusion depends on which joints are damaged.
The surgeon removes remaining cartilage from the joints selected for fusion and positions the bones together. A plate, screws, or other fixation holds them steady while new bone joins the surfaces. A bone graft may be used to support healing in some cases.
A splint or cast protects the wrist while the bones heal. Follow-up X-rays help the surgeon check whether fusion is progressing. Hand therapy may focus on finger motion, forearm movement, and strength in joints that were not fused.
Risks include infection, nerve or tendon injury, hardware problems, and failure of the bones to fuse. Total fusion permanently prevents bending the wrist up or down. Some tasks that depend on wrist motion may remain difficult even if pain improves.
Yes. Wrist fusion does not fuse the finger joints. Finger movement and grip can be practiced during recovery as directed by the care team.
No. A partial fusion leaves motion in wrist joints that are not fused. A total fusion stops movement at the fused wrist joint.
Fusion joins bones to make the wrist stable. Replacement uses an implant and aims to retain some wrist motion.
The wrist may remain painful or unstable if the bones fail to join. The surgeon may recommend further treatment or another operation.
Total Wrist Arthrodesis: An Update on Indications, Technique and Outcomes. PubMed Central (PMC). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10165208/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.
Union and Complication Rates After Total Wrist Arthrodesis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38043034/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.
Wrist Arthrodesis. StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK556015/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.
Wrist Arthrodesis (Wrist Fusion). The Iowa Clinic. https://www.iowaclinic.com/specialties/bone-joint/hand-surgery/surgical-hand-procedures/wrist-arthrodesis-wrist-fusion/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.
Wrist Fusion (Wrist Arthrodesis). OrthoInfo (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons). https://www.orthoinfo.org/treatment/wrist-fusion-wrist-arthrodesis/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.