Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) tears can be painful and affect a person’s ability to use their hand or wrist. But what is a TFCC tear? And how is this injury treated?

The TFCC is a complex of ligaments, tendons, and cartilage that connects the hand and forearm bones to form the wrist. It helps the wrist move and stabilizes the forearm when grasping something with the hand or rotating the forearm. A TFCC tear is any injury or damage to this area.

There are two types of TFCC tears:

• Type 1: These tears result from a physical injury. This often occurs when a person overextends their wrist or falls on their hand with it extended.
• Type 2: These tears occur gradually and can result from damage due to aging or an underlying health condition, such as gout or rheumatoid arthritis.

TFCC tears commonly cause pain in the wrist. The pain may be constant or only appear when you apply pressure to your wrist or move it. Other symptoms of a TFCC tear can include:

• Weakness or stiffness in the wrist
• A limited range of motion in the hand or wrist
• Wrist swelling
• Loss of grip strength
• A clicking or popping sound when you move your wrist

Athletes who frequently put strain on their wrists are more susceptible to developing a TFCC tear. If you have had a wrist injury in the past, you are also at a higher risk.

If you believe you have a TFCC tear, the first step is to stop any activity that causes pain in the wrist. This will allow the injury to heal. You may need to wear a cast or splint to keep the wrist from moving. Your wrist specialist will likely recommend physical therapy as well. This will involve doing exercises to gradually rebuild strength in your TFCC. If non-surgical treatments don’t provide relief, you may need surgery to repair the tear.

Surgery to treat a TFCC tear is typically a minimally invasive procedure called a wrist arthroscopy. During the surgery, your doctor will make small incisions on the outer edge of the wrist to repair the damaged portion of the TFCC. Sometimes, they may also shorten the ulna—a long bone in the forearm—to alleviate your symptoms. After the procedure, you will need to wear a cast for a few weeks to allow the area to heal.

Recovery time for TFCC tears that don’t require surgery is usually a few weeks. However, if you do need surgery, it may take a few weeks to several months before you regain full use of your wrist. Doing physical therapy and avoiding activities that strain your wrist can help speed up your recovery time.

Speak with an Orthopedic Specialist Today

Are you suffering from a recent injury? Make an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists today to start your healing journey. OrthoArizona has nearly two dozen offices throughout the Valley, each focused on quality care, compassion, and excellent customer service. Since 1994, OrthoArizona has been dedicated to compassionate care of the highest quality.

The advice and information contained in this article are for educational purposes only and are not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or other educational medical material.