A TFCC tear is an injury to the cartilage and supporting ligaments on the little-finger side of the wrist. It can cause wrist pain, particularly with gripping, twisting, or weight-bearing activities.
Is this an emergency?
Urgent assessment may be required for a TFCC tear if the injury is associated with significant trauma, deformity, severe swelling, numbness, or loss of circulation. For non urgent cases an assessment is recommended if pain persists, wrist movement is restricted, or there is clicking or instability.
Please contact 1300HANDOC for advice and further instructions.
- Pain on the little-finger side of the wrist
- Pain with gripping or twisting movements
- Clicking or catching of the wrist
- Reduced wrist movement or grip strength
- Wrist instability or a feeling that the wrist is giving way
- Falls onto an outstretched hand
- Direct trauma to the wrist
- Sports involving repetitive wrist movement or rotation
- Degenerative changes associated with ageing
- History and mechanism of injury
- Clinical examination
- X-ray
- MRI may be used to assess the TFCC and identify a tear or other soft-tissue injury
Treatment depends on the severity of the tear, symptoms, and whether the TFCC injury is from a traumatic event or is degenerative in nature.
Please contact 1300HANDOC to discuss the recommended treatment pathway based on the injury.
1300 426 362