Elbow, Wrist & Hand
TFCC Tear
Also called: Triangular fibrocartilage injury
Injury to the cartilage complex on the little-finger side of the wrist — the wrist's meniscus — from a fall, forceful twist (racquets, drills), or gradual wear. The classic story: pinpoint ulnar-side pain with rotation and loaded extension, famously provoked by pushing up from a chair.
Common signs
- Little-finger-side wrist pain with twisting (doorknobs, keys) and loaded extension
- Clicking with forearm rotation
- Pain gripping with the wrist bent toward the little finger
- Sense of weakness or instability at the wrist's edge
Seek help now if
- A prominent, unstable ulna head (piano-key sign) — instability assessment
- Trauma with deformity
- Numbness in the little finger (nerve check)
Any of these: call 911 or get to an emergency room first. Everything else can wait.
What to do first
- Exam localizes it; a trial of relative rest with a wrist-support strategy (sometimes a specific ulnar-support brace) starts most plans
- Modify rotation-and-load tasks temporarily
- Degenerative wear-type presentations begin conservative; traumatic instability presentations image earlier
If it's become chronic
- A 6–12 week conservative block (protection → graded loading → rotation strengthening) manages many tears, especially degenerative types
- Persistent mechanical symptoms or instability: MRI and hand-specialist consult — repairable patterns exist and reward timely referral
- Grip athletes return through a loaded-rotation progression, tested not guessed
Natural healing options we use
- Bracing/support strategy and load management
- Manual and chiropractic care for forearm-wrist mechanics
- Graded strengthening including rotation work
- Collagen and omega-3 support; attended e-stim
About imaging
MRI (best with dedicated wrist protocols) characterizes tears when the plan depends on it.
Daily self-care
- Modify push-up style (fists/handles) during recovery
- Rotation strength work as prescribed
- Report clunking or giving-way — mechanics matter here
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Please read: this page is education, not a diagnosis. A proper examination is how a condition gets confirmed and a plan gets built. See our medical disclaimer.