TFCC Tear

Wrist cartilage tears may cause:

• Pain on the small-finger (ulnar) side of the wrist
• Clicking, catching or grinding with movement
• Weak grip or trouble twisting objects
• Swelling or tenderness
• A feeling that the wrist is unstable

Symptoms often worsen when you lift, push up from a chair or put weight through the wrist.

Wrist cartilage tears can develop suddenly or over time. Common causes include:

• Falling onto an outstretched hand
• Twisting injuries (such as during sports or heavy lifting)
• Repetitive wrist rotation or load-bearing movements
• Wear-and-tear changes with age
• Previous wrist fractures or wrist instability

Your hand and wrist specialist will examine your wrist and review your symptoms and activity history. They will use simple movement and stress tests to check for pain or instability.

Your specialist may order X-rays or MRI, or recommend wrist arthroscopy to confirm the diagnosis and assess the extent of the injury.

Treatment depends on the type and severity of the tear. Many wrist cartilage injuries improve without surgery.

Nonsurgical treatment

• Rest and activity modification
• Wrist bracing or splinting
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Steroid injections
• Physical or occupational therapy

Surgical treatment

If symptoms continue or the wrist remains unstable, your hand and wrist specialist may recommend surgery. Using minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques, they can repair or remove damaged tissue to restore strength and stability.