Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC): Episode 86
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In this episode: TFCC is a structure on the outside of the wrist that helps to maintain stability. It can be injured during a fall or with repetitive movements like those from racket, stick and bat sports.
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Chip Review @ (10:30): Lay’s of Thailand – Mieng Kam Krob Ros (Khem thank you so much)
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Trivia question of the week @ (09:10): Which plants in our solar system don’t have moons?
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Brief overview of the episode:
Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) is an easy way to refer to the structures that makes up the connection between the medial forearm and wrist bones. In this case medial is the side of the wrist nearest the little finger. There are more than a dozen bones, ligaments, tendons, and disc like structures that make up the TFCC. This is why it is much easier to refer to as simply the TFCC.
Injury to the TFCC occurs typically in 3 ways. Trauma, usually due to slip and fall, repetitive motions from sports involving, bats, rackets, sticks and clubs or long term degeneration.
Most often the initial treatment involves stopping the causes of the injury and supporting the TFCC. This can be done either with some sort of brace or wrap or in some cases a specially made splint. Surgery can be an option though due to the small size of the TFCC is difficult and may not be more successful than long duration immobilization. It is not uncommon for healing to take 6 months or more regardless of surgery being performed or not.
The most common symptoms of TFCC injury are pain with turning a door handle. Ulnar sided wrist pain and tenderness, weakness with wrist movements and grip strength and sometimes clicking but more specifically painful clicking of the wrist.
If you suspect you have a TFCC injury come on in to see us or any other physical therapist or orthopedist and have it checked out. The sooner you can begin to recover from a TFCC injury the sooner you will be ready to get back to your favorite activities.
Other episodes you might enjoy:
Fall prevention & Balance: Episode 19
Radicular Pain: Episode 22
Intro to Rebound Therapy and Wellness Clinic: Episode 1
