Pain and stiffness are common symptoms of arthritis. Your wrist is made up of many small joints, and inflammation in these areas can be a sign of arthritis. Arthritis attacks your bones by destroying the cartilage, causing your bones to rub against one another. Other signs and symptoms of arthritis of the wrist include:
stiffness
weakness
swelling
limited range of motion
clicking, cracking, or grinding sounds on movement
There are four types of arthritis that can affect the wrist:
osteoarthritis (OA): develops overtime as cartilage naturally wears down
rheumatoid arthritis (RA): an autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack its own tissues
psoriatic arthritis: an inflammatory skin and joint disease
posttraumatic arthritis (PA): occurs after an injury to the wrist
People with RA are more likely to have arthritis in their wrists. Over time, arthritis may make it hard to bend your wrists or perform daily activities.