Wrist replacement is a surgery that will remove the damaged wrist joint and replaces it with an artificial joint. The replacement, which is called a prosthesis, is typically made of metal, with a plastic spacer. A wrist replacement is manufactured to work as a normal healthy wrist.   Your wrist is a very complex joint that contains many small bones. Your wrist connects your hand and forearm (the lower half of your arm, from your elbow to your hand).   Your wrist helps you bend, straighten and rotate your hand. It is also used every day during many activities, such as waving, washing your hair, typing, or picking something up. If your joint becomes severely damaged or stiff, this can make daily tasks painful.