TFCC TEARS – TRIANGULAR FIBROCARTILAGE COMPLEX TEAR

The triangular fibrocartilage complex is a cartilage structure that cushions the small wrist bones and is located on the small finger side of the wrist. It also keeps the ends of the two bones in the forearm (the radius and the ulna) stable when the forearm rotates or when the hand grasps an object. Symptoms of a TFCC tear include pain on wrist movement from side to side, pain at the base of the small finger side of the wrist, swelling, and/or loss of grip strength.

The triangular fibrocartilage complex is a cartilage structure flanked by several ligaments that cushions the small wrist bones and is located on the small finger side of the wrist. It also keeps the ends of the two bones in the forearm (the radius and the ulna) stable when the forearm rotates or when the hand grasps an object. A tear of the TFCC can be caused by falling on an outstretched hand. Often times, golfer’s will tear their TFCC from over-swinging or grounding the golf-club forcefully. There can also be degenerative TFCC tears, which occur overtime and with increasing age.

Symptoms of a TFCC tear include pain on wrist movement from side to side, pain at the base of the small finger side of the wrist, swelling, and/or loss of grip strength. The goal of treatment is to relieve pain and allow the tear to heal. If the tear does not need to be treated surgically, splinting and casting may be used to immobilize the wrist for healing. Anti-inflammatory medicine can help with the pain and swelling. If conservative treatment was ineffective, arthroscopic surgery can be performed with small camera and minimally invasive technique. Some tears only require debridement, cleaning the torn edges and damaged tissue. Other tears can be repaired with sutures.