Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC)
Triangular Fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) is a structure composed of cartilage and ligaments. It connects the forearm to the side of the wrist closest to the little finger, called the ulnar side.
Types of injury:
1. Trauma (acute) .
2. Over-use (chronic degenerative).
Examples of type 1 (trauma):
Examples of type 2 (chronic degenerative):
As I mentioned before, there are two types of TFCC injuries.
Each type can be further classified according to location and degree of injury.
This classification will help in designing the treatment plan.
Symptoms:
Diagnosis:
1. Clinical tests.
2. MRI: which is usually done after clinical tests to confirm the diagnosis and get more details about the injury (location & extent of injury) .
3. X-ray: to check if there is +ve variance of the ulna .
Treatment:
The treatment plan depends on the location and the degree of the injury.
First , physical therapy, I already talked about the program in a previous post. Please do not start the rehabilitation program without consulting a physical therapist first.
Each patient has his/her own treatment program and if you do the exercises without consultation, your condition may get worse.
