Understanding TFCC Injury: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
Ever heard of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC)?
It's a fancy name for a vital part of your wrist made up of strong tissue and cartilage. Think of it as a combination of a triangular disc, ligaments, and tendon sheaths all working together to support the joints between your forearm bones (radius and ulna) and the first row of bones in your hand (lunate and triquetrum). The TFCC helps bear loads and stabilize the ulnar side (little finger side) of your wrist. Because of its important role, the TFCC can easily get injured or wear down over time.
TFCC injuries happen when there's too much pressure on the TFCC. They can occur suddenly (acute) or develop over time (chronic).
Acute TFCC Injuries
Common causes include:
Falling on your hand or wrist
Forcefully twisting your wrist
Swinging a racket or bat
Lifting weights
Doing gymnastics
Using power tools
Chronic TFCC Injuries
These result from repetitive wrist movements or frequently putting heavy loads on your wrist, often seen in sports like gymnastics, cheerleading and CrossFit.
What Are the Symptoms?
TFCC injuries usually cause pain on the ulnar (pinky finger) side of the wrist. The pain can be a constant ache or a sharp pain when you put weight on it. Other symptoms include:
Tenderness when you touch the ulnar side of your wrist
Occasional swelling
Instability in the wrist, which may cause clicking or popping sounds when you rotate your wrist or forearm
Loss of strength, power, and control
Weakness in the wrist during everyday activities
Pain with rotation such as door handles or turning car keys
Diagnosing a TFCC Injury
If you think you have a TFCC tear, your hand therapist will start with a detailed history and physical examination. If more information is needed:
An X-ray can rule out a fracture but won’t show a TFCC injury.
Ultrasound and MRI can help confirm the diagnosis if no fracture is present.
How Do You Treat a TFCC Injury?
Conservative Treatment
First steps usually involve:
Resting and changing your activities
Using a splint
Starting strengthening under the guidance of a hand therapist
Collaborate with a hand therapist to make a plan to manage your activity levels
If your symptoms don’t improve with these methods, injection therapy might be the next step. Steroid injections can be helpful, especially when paired with a plan to manage your activity levels and exercises.
Surgical Intervention
Most acute TFCC tears can heal quite well with a few months of sensible activity management. But if the injury is severe or your wrist is unstable, surgery might be necessary. North Shore Hand Therapy therapist’s will arrange a referral to a specialist if needed.
Knowing the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for TFCC injuries is key to getting back to your normal routine. If you think you might have a TFCC injury, it’s important to seek professional medical advice and treatment to ensure you heal properly and avoid further issues.
At North Shore Hand Therapy, we specialise in diagnosing and treating TFCC injuries. We are here to help you regain strength, stability, and functionality in your wrist. Give us a call today or book online to schedule an appointment and start your journey to recovery!
