ORTHOPEDICS/HAND & WRIST/WRIST DISORDERS
TFCC is the abbreviation of triangular fibro-cartilage complex, is the cartilage and ligaments located inside the wrist joint, on the ulnar wrist side (the side with the small finger).
Pain and snapping feelings often results from TFCC damages.
What is TFCC or
As its name implies, TFCC (Triangular Fibro-cartilage Complex)is a complex cartilage joint assemblage that, different from other joints reflecting simple motion, allows the wrist moving in three distinct surfaces at the same time (bending back and forth, side to side, and rotating).
TFCC allows manipulating the hand in a diversity of positions.
The TFCC possesses really a hard job.
Note that the wrist must be strong and stable.
The TFCC is shaped as a cartilage ring, (such like the knee meniscus) and is surrounded by ligaments that stabilize the wrist joints.
Describing a damage to the TFCC, is describing damage to all these assemblages.
Normally TFCC tears are large, unsteady, and may require intervention. However, sometimes TFCC tears are slighter, steady, and may heal with minimal therapy.
TFCC Damage/Causes
Wrist joint anatomy varies from a person to another, precisely, which of the forearm bones is longer.
Therefore, in a person with a longer ulna (ulnar positive wrist), more force is applied across the TFCC and this kind of person, usually possesses a higher likelihood of damage to the TFCC.
The most frequent cause of a damage to the TFCC is a fall onto an outstretched wrist;
Sometimes a crack of the radius bone is related to TFCC damages.
Other causes of TFCC damage may include vigorous rotation or distraction (pulling) on the wrist joint.
The most frequent TFCC tears include: Pain and inflammation on the ulnar wrist side, Snapping feelings with wrist motion and Unsteadiness of the forearms bones (distal radioulnar joint).
Recommended Therapy
As above stated, every TFCC tear is unique, and having experience with different types of damage shapes is vital to help guiding the therapy plan.
Most of the TFCC tears will heal with immobilization and time.
When a damage necessitate a surgical intervention, most surgeons are performing wrist arthroscopy to assess the torn TFCC, and by the way, cleaning up or restoring the damaged assemblages.