Surgical management of the arthritic wrist.

Wrist destruction by rheumatoid arthritis adversely affects hand function and increases the risk of finger deformities. Surgical management is indicated not only for salvage of end-stage wrist deformity but to alleviate pain and reduce progression of deformity at earlier stages. Available procedures include arthroscopic synovectomy, partial and complete arthrodesis, and implant arthroplasty. Procedure selection is highly dependent on disease characteristics and patient needs.