Understanding Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) Tears

 What Is The TFCC?

The Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) is a collective structure made up of the triangular fibrocartilage disc (TFC), the radioulnar ligaments (RULs), and the ulnocarpal ligaments (UCLs) that cushion and support the carpal bones in the wrist. It is located along the side of the little finger, passing over the carpel bones and connecting to the radius and ulna bones. It stabilizes the wrist at the distal radioulnar joint and enables load transmission while rotating or gripping the wrist. It creates a sturdy yet flexible joint between the ulna and the radius bones towards the wrist end, allowing proper forearm rotation. Since it is made up of elastic ligaments, any excess tension or impact force can cause the TFCC to sprain or tear.

Common Causes Of TFCC Tears:

TFFC tears are common wrist injuries in people who excessively use their wrists. Typically, falling hard with an outstretched hand and backward wrist is most likely to damage the TFCC ligaments. Gymnasts, especially those involved in hanging, pulling, and swinging activities and are more prone to suffer such falls, commonly face TFCC problems due to the excess tension they exert on the wrists. Many athletes involved in bating or racket-related sports can get TFCC tears while swinging their wrist in a fast and inappropriate way.

It can also be caused due to autoimmune, degenerative disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, or gout disease. Such TFCC degradation may occur in people over the age of 50 who have overused their wrists throughout their lives.

Otherwise, having a longer ulna bone by birth, or suffering a wrist fracture can also contribute towards this condition.

Types Of TFCC Tears:

These ligament tears are broadly classified into two types based on their causes:

  • Type-1 TFCC Tear: if the TFCC tear is caused due to a traumatic accident

  • Type-2 TFCC Tear: if the TFCC tear is caused due to a degenerative and chronic disease, or due to aging

Common Symptoms Of TFCC Tears:

  • Pain along the wrist when rotated or moved from side to side

  • Pain in the wrist when pressed with the thumb

  • Tenderness along the ulnar side of the wrist

  • Swelling in the wrist

  • Clicking or popping in the wrist joint

  • General weakness in the wrist

Available Treatments For TFCC Tears:

In cases where the tear is mild with normal mobility of the wrist joint, a doctor may suggest different non-surgical methods for treating your TFCC tear. The most common non-surgical methods will include using splints or casts, anti-inflammatory medication, cortisone injections, ultrasound therapy, or a combination of any of these treatments. The goal of these treatments is to reduce pain and allow the mild tear to heal. 

However, if the TFCC tear is severe and causing significant loss of wrist mobility, opting for an arthroscopic minimally invasive surgery would be a better option. It can be performed to debride the torn edges and damaged tissue pieces off the wrist joint or suture the torn ligaments in place. If the cause of your TFCC pain is an abnormally long grown ulna bone, then this surgery can be performed to cut the bone down to an appropriate size and reset the wrist joint.


Treating wrist joint problems like TFCC requires specialized attention and care. Especially if you’re an athlete, you must never take such injuries lightly and opt for prompt preventive care. If you’re wondering where you can get such sports-oriented wrist injury treatment in Mumbai, then Dr. Pranjal Kodkani Clinic is exactly what you’re looking for. Specializing in preventive treatments for sports injuries, Dr. Kodkani will guide you through any of your joint injuries and help you get back in the game as soon as possible. You can now visit Dr. Parnjal Kodkani’s website to book your online consultation session and consult him for getting the best wrist injury treatment in Mumbai.

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