Total Wrist Fusion

When to consider a Wrist fusion?

When non-operative treatments have failed to control the pain and the pain is:

• Moderate to severe
• Constant/ all the time
• Affecting sleep
• Stopping you from carrying out activities of daily living

What to expect after a Total Wrist Fusion.

After a Total Wrist Fusion you will be in POP for 6 weeks to allow the bone to heal & ‘fuse’/ stick together. Initially you will be in a backslab for 10-14 days – at this point you will be seen by the consultant, your wound will be checked before being put into a full POP for a further 4 weeks.

At 6 weeks you will be taken out of plaster and an X-Ray performed. At this point you may be provided with a splint to be worn for protection – you will need to keep this on to protect the fusion as the bones will still be healing.

You will not be able to do any ‘heavy’lifting/ strenuous activity with the wrist for around 12-14 weeks. You may need to see a hand therapist to give some exercises and advice to help maintain movement in your fingers and manage the scar after the operation.

Things to consider before having a Wrist Fusion:

• Risk of infection through surgery
• Risk of nerve injury/ neuroma (a painful spot on / near the nerve) through injury/ swelling.
• Rehabilitation can take between 4-12 months
• Risk that the wrist may not fuse and therefore require further surgery
• Risk of tendon irritation which may mean the plate has to be removed
• Risk of problematic scar tissue. After the operation there is a risk that you may have problems with scarring including tender/ sensitive scarring. Thick/ hard scarring causing reduced movement
• Risk of Reflex Sympathetic Disorder (RSD). Can also be known as Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (a malfunction of the nervous system that controls your pain)