3. The Wrist Joint Affected by Rheumatoid Arthritis

This chapter begins with information on the pathological conditions associated with the wrist joint. The following section discussed in detail on the rheumatoid arthritis, as it is the most critical disease affecting the joint. Generally, there are three main symptoms: synovial proliferation, cartilage destruction and ligaments laxity. The disease progresses with several cascade events known as pathophysiology. Scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) and the destruction of the capitolunate articulation were among of them. The severity of the disease differs according to several categories or classifications established by previous researcher—Larsen-Daale-Eek, Wrightington, Simmen and Hubber. As far as the treatment was concerned, the most problematic option is the wrist arthroplasty attributed to the loosening of the implant and metacarpal perforation, despite of its advantage in preserving joint motion. This option, thus less preferred by medical practitioners as compared to the arthrodesis or bone fusion. However, as the technology progresses, the designs of the implants for arthroplasty were found to be better and better, promising a more reliable treatment for the rheumatic wrist.