Chronic TFCC tear: symptoms, care and next steps

It may cause ulnar-sided pain, clicking, reduced grip or discomfort when rotating the forearm. Treatment depends on wrist stability, the location of the damage, daily demands and response to non-surgical care.

The triangular fibrocartilage complex, or TFCC, is a group of cartilage and ligaments between the forearm bones and the small wrist bones. It helps transmit load and supports controlled rotation. A tear is described as chronic when symptoms persist or the tissue has developed longer-standing changes rather than behaving like a recent injury.

An examination may compare both wrists, test forearm rotation, locate tenderness and check whether the joint between the radius and ulna feels stable. Imaging can add detail, but findings are interpreted alongside symptoms because an image alone does not show how much the wrist affects everyday function.

Reduce movements that repeatedly load the painful side of the wrist, such as forceful twisting, heavy gripping or pushing up from a chair. A clinician may suggest a wrist support, activity changes and physiotherapy to restore motion, forearm control and grip without repeatedly provoking the tissue.

Medication or an injection may be considered to settle pain and inflammation in selected cases, but these do not mechanically repair an unstable ligament. Surgery may be discussed when instability, persistent functional limitation or a tear pattern is unlikely to improve sufficiently with conservative care. The procedure chosen depends on the damaged part and tissue quality.

Arrange an assessment if pain keeps limiting grip, rotation, work or sleep, or if the wrist repeatedly gives way. Seek urgent care after a new injury if the wrist is visibly deformed, rapidly swelling, very difficult to move, or accompanied by numbness, a cold hand or fingers that look unusually pale or blue.

Ask which part of the TFCC appears injured, whether the forearm joint is stable, which activities you should temporarily modify and what improvement would be expected from splinting or rehabilitation. If surgery is being considered, ask what the operation aims to repair, how your hand use will be protected afterwards and how rehabilitation will progress.