Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) Tears
The forearm is made up of two main bones: the ulna and radius. Where these two bones come together at the wrist, there’s a small group of cartilage, ligaments, and tendons called the triangular fibrocartilage complex or “TFCC”. The TFCC connects the forearm to the side of the wrist closest to the pinkie finger (the ulnar side).
Because of the stress and pressure commonly put on the wrist, the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) is very susceptible to tearing. When this happens, it is called a TFCC Tear and it can render the wrist and pinkie useless.
Causes of TFCC Tears
The TFCC is “load-bearing”, meaning that it bears weight during many normal, daily activities. Because the TCFF functions to stabilize the wrist and allow it to bend in six different directions, it is used almost constantly.
TFCC injuries can be either acute or chronic. Acute TFCC tears occur due to a one-time instance or event – such as a fall. Chronic TCFF tears, however, result from ongoing wear and tear on the wrist.
Common causes of TFCC tears include:
- Falling and landing on the hand or wrist
- Twisting the arm while catching or grabbing something
- Swing an object like a tennis racket, baseball bat, or golf club
- Fracturing the end of the radius bone
- Certain repetitive occupational tasks, like operating machinery or lifting
Who Gets TCFF Tears
The chances of a triangular fibrocartilage complex tear increase as you get older. TCFF tears are relatively uncommon in people under 30 years old, and more than half are in individuals over the age of 70.
Persons with preexisting conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout are also at a high risk of a TFCC tear. And if a person has an ulna bone is longer than your radius bone, the TFCC will typically be thinner, making it more likely to suffer a tear.
Symptoms of a TCFF Tear
The most common symptom of a TFCC tear is ulnar-side (pinkie side) wrist pain. Other symptoms of TFCC include:
- A weaker grip than normal
- An unstable wrist
- A wrist that constantly clicks or pops with hand movement
- Limited range of movement in the wrist
Diagnosing a TCFF Tear
If you grab the bottom of a table or desk with your palms facing up and it’s painful, your TFCC may be torn. Similarly, if it’s painful when you press on the ulna bone (smaller forearm bone on the pinkie side) you might have a TFCC tear. If getting out of a chair from a sitting position is painful, you could also have a torn TFCC.
If you think you have a TFCC tear it is important to see a hand doctor immediately. They can run tests to see if you have a TFCC tear, another TFCC injury or a different problem.
If your hand doctor suspects a TFCC after physical examination they will usually order an MRI to confirm the tear and uncover how serious it is. Remember X-rays only show bone and not soft tissue injuries. However, your hand doctor might also order an X-ray to make sure that you don’t have any fractured (broken) bones.
Treating a TCFF Tear
If your hand doctor determines that you have a TFCC tear, they will recommend a number of steps to relieve the pain and help it heal. These include:
- Prescribing a splint or a cast.
- Icing the injured area.
- Take a break from any sports, work or other activities that strain the wrist.
- Prescription or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicine pain medicine.
- Corticosteroid injections
- Physical or occupational therapy with our certified hand therapists
- Only in cases of severe TFCC tear is surgery necessary.
TCFF Tears | Detroit Area Hand Doctor
If you are suffering from an injury or pain in your fingers, wrist, elbow or arm, contact board certified Detroit area hand doctor Uzma Rehman, MD for a comprehensive evaluation and consultation. As with most medical conditions, early detection, awareness, and a prevention or treatment plan is the most effective way to combat the effects of conditions like a TCFF Tear.
Doctor Rehman will assess your individual situation, and prescribe the treatments that are best for your condition.
