Causes, Diagnosis & Treatments For TFCC Injuries Of The Wrist

 

The Anatomy Of TFCC:

The Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) is a long ligament structure placed along the little finger’s outer edge, passing over the carpel bones and connecting to the radius and ulna bones at the wrist joint. It collectively comprises the triangular fibrocartilage disc (TFC), extensor carpi ulnaris tendon subsheath, ulnotriquetral and ulnolunate ligaments, dorsal and volar distal radioulnar ligaments, the ulnocarpal collateral ligament, and meniscal homolog. The TFC has some blood vessels on the ulnar aspect, while the rest of the structure is avascular. The meniscal homolog is mostly composed of various loose connective tissues.

Typically, it acts as a stabilizer for the ulnar aspect of the wrist and enables load transmission while rotating or gripping the wrist.

What Are TFCC injuries?

Ulnar-sided wrist injuries or tears are directly or indirectly associated with TFCC injuries. As TFCC comprises multiple ligaments, any excess tension or impact while pronating and supinating the wrist can cause the TFCC to sprain or tear.

Gymnasts involved in hanging, pulling, and swinging activities and athletes engaged in bating or racket-related sports often suffer from TFCC tears by swinging their wrist in a fast and inappropriate way and seek wrist injury treatment in Mumbai.

Other than external forces, internal autoimmune, degenerative disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout disease can also cause TFCC tears.

In rare cases, past wrist injuries or surgeries can lead to a condition called positive ulnar variance, where the ulna’s articular surface becomes more distal from the radius bone. It ultimately strains the TFCC ligament structure and causes tear injuries.

TFCC injuries are broadly classified into two categories:

●        Type-1 TFCC Injury: when the TFCC tear is caused by external pressure or impact

●        Type-2 TFCC Tear: when the TFCC tear is caused by an internal degenerative and chronic disease or due to aging

How Are TFCC Injuries Diagnosed?

Traditionally, TFCC injuries are diagnosed with the ulnar fovea test. The doctor applies external pressure on both the wrists and questions you for excess pain or tenderness in any one of them.

A physical examination may involve rotating your forearm or moving your hand away from your thumb to check for limited mobility.

If the injury is complex, the doctor may suggest an X-ray or an MRI scan before proceeding with any wrist treatment.

How Are TFCC injuries Treated?

The first approach to treating wrist injuries is always a personalized combination of restricting mobility, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications based on your overall health and wrist condition.

In some cases, cortisone injections and ultrasound therapy can also be prescribed to manage pain and boost the healing process.

When the conservative treatments fail after persistent efforts, the final wrist treatment approach is an arthroscopy. The aim of the surgery can be to treat the individual TFCC ligaments or to resize the ulna bone.

Wrist treatment for TFCC injuries requires specialized attention and prompt preservation care to avoid recurring tears in the wrist. Dr. Pranjal Kodkani is one of the few orthopedists in Mumbai specializing in preservation 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.