Does physiotherapy treat TFCC tear?

The triangular fibrocartilage complex supports the little-finger side of the wrist and helps with rotation and load transfer. A tear may cause ulnar-sided wrist pain, clicking, reduced grip or discomfort when turning a key or pushing up from a chair. Physiotherapy is often planned around the tear’s location, severity, stability and cause. Early care may involve activity modification, support or splint guidance and gentle movement. Later stages can add forearm rotation, grip, wrist and shoulder exercises, followed by task-specific loading. A physiotherapist should avoid progressing exercises that repeatedly increase swelling, catching or instability.

Arrange an assessment if wrist pain persists after an injury or affects gripping and rotation. Until reviewed, avoid heavy lifting, forceful twisting and repeated weight-bearing through the hand. Use support only as advised, because prolonged restriction can make the wrist stiff and weak. Follow the staged plan and describe clicking, giving way and work or sport demands so rehabilitation matches your needs.

Seek prompt assessment for a visibly deformed wrist, severe swelling, loss of sensation, pale or blue fingers, inability to move the wrist or fingers, or sudden major loss of grip. Ongoing clicking with instability or pain after a fall may need review by a clinician experienced in wrist injuries.

Ask whether the tear is stable, how long protection should continue, which movements are restricted, when strengthening can begin, and what would make imaging or surgery worth considering.