Wrist Arthroscopy for TFCC Tear (Ulnar-Sided Wrist Pain)

What Is TFCC?

• Triangular Fibro Cartilage Complex
• Found in the wrist joint
• It is the ligamentous and cartilaginous structures that suspend the distal radius and ulnar carpus from the distal ulna
  

Causes of TFCC Tears

• Falls onto pronated hyperextended wrist
• Power-drill injuries in which the drill binds and rotates the wrist instead of the bit
• Distraction force applied to the volar forearm or wrist
• Distal radius fractures

Symptoms of TFCC Tear

• Ulnar sided (i.e. little finger side) wrist pain
• Associated with clicking

Clinical Signs

• Painful grinding or clicking with wrist range of motion (ROM)
• Weakness
• Ulnar deviation of the wrist with the forearm in neutral produces ulnar wrist pain and occasional clicking (Perform a TFCC compression test.)
• Instability of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) with shucking the distal radius and ulna between the examiner's fingers
  Piano key sign, which is a prominent and ballottable distal ulna with full pronation of the forearm
• Ulnar carpal sag
• Lunotriquetral (LT) interval tenderness
• Positive LT ballottement or shuck test
• ECU tendon subluxation
  
  

Treatment

• Wrist arthroscopy
• Done under General Anaesthesia
• 2 Small Incisions at the Wrist level
• Minimally invasive
  
  

Post-operative Rehabilitation

• 6 weeks of wrist immobilisation in a splint
• Followed by therapy to improve range of motion and wrist strength thereafter

Please note that the information contained herein is for general medical information only.
If you have any specific medical condition or queries, please consult your medical doctor.

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