Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex - Injury, Signs & Symptoms

The triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) is located in the wrist between the ulnar bone end and the carpals. It is a complex structure and is a major function is stabilising, cushioning and smooth movement at the radioulnar joint of the wrist. It has an extended triangular shape and consists of –

• The triangular fibrocartilage disc.
• Ulna meniscus.
• Ulnar collateral ligament.
• Several carpal ligaments.
• Extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) tendon sheath.

You can tear your triangular fibrocartilage complex TFCC from various activities like playing sports, fall with an extended arm etc. The TFCC tear can cause pain in the wrist. Other symptoms of this injury include pain on the side of the pinky finger, tenderness on the wrist back. You will experience extreme pain if you bend your wrist sideways. You will also suffer from swelling in the wrist and loss gripping strength. 

In most of TFCC injury, traditional treatment works wonders. This treatment involves adding a splint to your wrist for approximately 4 weeks. After this period a removable splint is added allowing you to move your wrist slowly. Other treatments include anti-inflammatory medication, electrotherapy, mobility and strengthening exercises. 

Another problem that your wrist may suffer is the Kienbock's disease. It is also known as avascular necrosis of the lunate, occurs when the lunate bone in the wrist is damaged due to loss of blood supply. It is a rare and incapacitating disease that can lead to chronic pain and dysfunction. An Australian radiologist Robert Kienböck first mentioned the disorder and thus it got its name after him. 

The National Institutes of Health stated that affected will at first have the feeling of sprain in their wrist. It is progressive disease and hence its symptoms do not fade ways easily. However, the progress of Kienbock's disease is different from patient-to-patient. Initially, the patient suffers from swelling and pain but later the entire mechanism of the wrist is affected.

Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex- A Sprain in the Wrist

Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) is a complicate structure and is a chief provider to the strength and stability of the wrist. It is also a common source of pain for the wrist by the side of the ulna (small finger). The entire TFCC is placed between the ulna and two carpal bones (lunate and triquetrum) and is a collection of many structures that hold up the Triangular Fibrocartilage Proper. The Triangular Fibrocartilage is the major tendon that soothes the Distal Radio-Ulnar Joint (DRUJ), the part of the wrist joint lying between the two bones of the forearm (radius and ulna), and allowing rotation of forearm.

Injuries to the Triangular Fibrocartilage ligament affect the ulnar (little finger) side of the wrist. It may be injured by a fall, sports injury, car crash, or other trauma. If you fracture your wrist than you are likely to suffer from TFCC tears and this can be the major cause of wrist pain even after the injury is healed. You may also get Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex even without any injury if the ulna bone is longer than the radius bone. TFCC can be referred as a sprain to the wrist and its injury may result as a very disable wrist condition.

Apart from the TFCC injuries, your wrist may also suffer from the Kienbock’s Disease. It is a disorder of the wrist and is a condition in which the blood supply to the lunate bone is reduced and this result in the death of the bone. Lunate bone is one of the central bones in the wrist providing proper movement and support to the joint.  It makes up the proximal carpal row in the wrist along with the scaphoid and triquetrum bones either side of it. The Kienbock’s Disease is most common in men between the age group of 20 and 40. Its symptoms include pain, stiffness, and arthritis of the wrist over the time.