How do you treat triangular fibrocartilage complex injury?
Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Injury (TFCC) Treatment
- Ice the joint for 10 minutes at a time.
- Compress the area with an ace bandage.
- Take an over-the-counter pain medication such as Ibuprofen or Naproxen for pain or swelling.
How can I improve my fibrocartilage?
Strengthening exercises
- Wrist flexion: Hold a can or hammer handle in your hand with your palm facing up. Bend your wrist upward.
- Wrist extension: Hold a soup can or small weight in your hand with your palm facing down.
- Grip strengthening: Squeeze a soft rubber ball and hold the squeeze for 5 seconds.
How can I speed up my TFCC recovery?
Recovery usually takes a few weeks for TFCC tears that don’t require surgery. However, it may take anywhere from a few weeks to several months before you regain full use of your wrist if you do need surgery. Doing physical therapy and avoiding activities that strain your wrist can help speed up your recovery time.
Can you strengthen TFCC?
Pain-free movement and full strength are possible. The initial aim of treatment for a TFCC injury at Humpal Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Centers will be to decrease the inflammation and pain around the area. Simply icing your wrist assists with the inflammation and often relieves a great deal of the pain.
What causes triangular fibrocartilage complex?
What causes a TFCC tear? There are two types of TFCC tears: traumatic and degenerative. Traumatic tears typically result from falling on an outstretched hand, excessive arm rotation or a blow to the wrist. Athletes are at risk, especially those who use a racquet, bat or club or put pressure on the wrists.
Can TFCC heal without surgery?
Recovery time for a TFCC tear depends on the type, severity, and treatment of the injury. A case study from 2016 suggests that TFCC tears that do not require surgery can take up to 12 weeks to fully heal.
What should you avoid with a TFCC tear?
To help prevent a TFCC tear, your physical therapist may advise you to:
- Avoid falling on your hand.
- Avoid repetitive, high-impact activities using the hands.
- Use a brace or taping.
- Gradually increase any athletic activity, rather than suddenly increasing the activity amount or intensity.
Can TFCC heal itself?
In many cases, a TFCC tear will heal on its own. However, a person will need to avoid using the affected wrist to prevent further injury and to allow it to heal properly. A healthcare professional may also recommend wearing a splint, brace, or cast to protect and immobilize the wrist.
How long is recovery from TFCC?
For TFCC tears that don’t require surgery, recovery usually takes about four to six weeks. If you do need surgery, it may take anywhere from six weeks to several months before you regain full use of your wrist.
How successful is TFCC surgery?
After debridement for central or radial sided TFCC tear, up to 85% of patients reported pain relief, with a mean grip strength and mean arc of motion restored to 94% compared with that of unaffected side.
Can I workout with a TFCC tear?
Functional Bracing (a.k.a. bracing that can be worn during training): Not every TFCC injury or wrist instability can be completely rehabilitated with exercise alone (especially during the first month or two).
What does TFCC pain feel like?
The main symptom of a TFCC tear is pain along the outside of your wrist, though you might also feel pain throughout your entire wrist. The pain may be constant or only appear when you move your wrist or apply pressure to it. Other symptoms of a TFCC tear include: a clicking or popping sound when you move your wrist.
How does the triangular fibrocartilage complex ( TFCC ) work?
The Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) affects a group of cartilage and ligaments found near the smallest finger by the side of the wrist. The TFCC enables your wrist to manipulate your hands and carry out movements like gripping and hand rotation.
How to reduce swelling in triangular fibrocartilage complex?
By increasing bloodflow in the effected area, massage can help reduce the risk of swelling. Stretches and guided exercise can increase bloodflow and help a patient increase the range of motion of their debilitated wrist.
What are the different types of triangular fibrocartilage tears?
Types of Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) Tears In general, TFCC tears can be classified based on their cause. Type 1: Traumatic TFCC Tears: These kinds of TFCC tears are the result of physical trauma or repetitive stress on the structures of the wrist.
What to do if you have a TFCC tear on your wrist?
Non-surgical treatment. The first step in treating TFCC tears is to temporarily stop doing any activities that cause wrist pain while the tear heals. You may need to wear a splint or cast to prevent your wrist from moving.
How are triangular fibrocartilage complex ( TFCC ) tears treated?
Treatment of Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) Tears TFCC tears are first treated with non-surgical means. This typically involves the use of a splint or cast to stabilize the wrist, in the hopes that the soft tissues heal on their own.
By increasing bloodflow in the effected area, massage can help reduce the risk of swelling. Stretches and guided exercise can increase bloodflow and help a patient increase the range of motion of their debilitated wrist.
Why is the TFCC important to the wrist?
TFCC Tear The Triangular FibroCartilage Complex, or TFCC, is an important structure in the wrist. The TFCC is made of tough fibrous tissue and cartilage. This tissue supports the joints between the end of the forearm bones (radius and ulna), adding to their stability.
Where is the triangular piece of cartilage located?
The triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) is a triangular-shaped piece of cartilage located within the wrist joint. It is attached to the end of both of the forearm bones. A triangular fibrocartilage complex tear is an injury to this cartilage complex.