Triangular fibrocartilage (TFCC) tear

Triangular fibrocartilage (TFCC) tear: this condition involves a traumatic or degenerative tear of the cartilage on the outside of the wrist. A fall on the outstretched hand, sports related injuries involving twisting of the wrist, or associated wrist fractures can also lead to this condition.

Rotating the wrist away from the body or gripping can make the pain worse. Signs/symptoms include pain directly over the outside of the wrist joint, pain or clicking with rotation of the wrist, or pain and weakness with gripping.

Treatment

Treatment initially is conservative or nonsurgical and involves immobilizing the wrist to keep inflammation and pain under control, selective injections which can be diagnostic and therapeutic, anti-inflammatory medicines, and activity modifications.

Surgery

Surgical intervention is useful in patients with continued wrist pain despite conservative treatment, and in patients who have had a positive response to injection. Arthroscopic removal of the torn cartilage or repair of the cartilage is the treatment of choice.