Triangular FibroCartilage Complex and Scapho-lunate Ligament tear. Brr.

Since people started asking me about my wrist, i've never had the opportunity to give a direct answer on what's wrong until today. I am finally enlightened of my injury. Triangular FibroCartilage Complex tear or TFCC tear is what sentenced me to months of nagging pain and shrinkwrapping my left wrist with super-tight wrist guards.

I'm sure this looks rather familiar on my left wrist almost everywhere i go.

Like the term kennysia uses. Dr. Chan zzzzzhhnnggggg-ed my wrist guard and transformed it into a bulky black brace. Now i look like robocop.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) Tears
The triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) is a small meniscus resting on the ulnar or side of the wrist opposite the thumb. The complex serves as a site of connection of ligaments as well as a spacer or cushion between the carpal bones (wrist bones) and the end of the forearm. It is analogous to the meniscus within the knee and can be injured in a similar fashion when the complex is compressed and then a shearing force is applied to it. As the wrist is not a weight bearing joint, the discomfort and functional limitations are significantly less when a TFCC tear occurs than when a knee meniscal tear occurs.

TFCC tears, however, can be quite limiting in their effect for individuals participating in sports where significant wrist motion occurs and a forced grip is necessary. Activities such as swinging a baseball bat, many of the field events in track and field, throwing a ball of any type, and obviously all sports that involve loading of the wrist such as gymnastics can be affected. While many tears are symptomatic, it is not always the case and the incidence of TFCC tears is undoubtedly under-reported.

Causes
TFCC tears are normally caused by landing on the outstretched arm or by repetitive loading of the ulnar side of the wrist. Sometimes relatively minor trauma causes a tear to become symptomatic as it has previously been injured or compromised.

Symptoms
- Pain on ulnar side of wrist (pinkie side)
- Pain worse when hand is rotated away from the thumb
- Clicking or popping possible

Treatment
Non-operativeConservative measures such as rest and activity modification will lessen the pain of the tear. Simple measures such as this can often allow athletes to return to their sport though recurrence of the pain is common. Casting of the wrist (or splinting) to allow total rest is a more aggressive conservative measure and depending on the point-in-time of the season when the tear occurs, this may be appropriate care.

Alternative Treatment Options
- Glucosamine
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Non-steroidal Anti inflammatory Medications (NSAIDSs)

MRI scan of my left wrist. The orange arrow points to the white mass which is the Triangular FibroCartilage Complex tear.

This orange arrow points to the HUGE hollow space which is the Scapho-lunate Ligament tear and thankfully it is much much less serious and not causing any problems. YET.

An X-ray image of my left hand. Just for fun. :)

Jinny