INJURY OF THE TRIANGULAR DISC (TFCC LESION)
Rotating or leaning on the hand hurts – a possible disc injury
The disc is a soft plate of cartilage held by ligaments between the ulna and the carpal bones on the outer side of the wrist. Among other things its job is to absorb pressure and, above all, to guarantee the stability between ulna and radius. Different loads can damage the disc, either through injury or through wear, and this damage can in turn cause problems in the wrist. Pain then occurs on the outer side of the wrist, above all when rotating the hand or leaning on it. Depending on the severity of the injury and how long the symptoms have lasted, the disc needs to be sutured or it makes sense to smooth it.
Symptoms
An injury of the disc (TFCC – triangular fibrocartilage complex) usually makes itself felt through pain on the outer side of the wrist, on the side of the little finger. Typical complaints are:
Pain on rotating
When the wrist is rotated the disc is deformed and a sharp pain shoots in.
Pain when leaning on the hand
In its role as a cushion, the disc is heavily loaded when you lean on the hand.
Swelling
The lesion causes an irritation with more fluid in the joint.
How is the injury diagnosed?
The doctor feels the wrist specifically and tests painful movements. As a rule an MRI scan is carried out in addition or – where the findings are unclear – an arthroscopy.
Treatment options for a TFCC lesion
Treatment of a TFCC lesion depends on the severity of the injury – it ranges from immobilisation and physiotherapy through to arthroscopic surgery where the symptoms persist.
Treatment options
Non-surgical and surgical – we will find the right approach for you
Loading within the limits of pain
A stable disc can heal without consequences if the hand is rested
Arthroscopy and smoothing of the disc
With a minimally invasive surgical technique, the torn fibres can be smoothed through small incisions using fine instruments.
Arthroscopy and suture of the disc
An unstable disc is fixed back to the bone in a minimally invasive operation.
Our hand specialists
Experienced consultants for the triangular disc and hand surgery
