What to expect from splinting for TFCC tear

The triangular fibrocartilage complex helps cushion and stabilise the little-finger side of the wrist. A tear may hurt during gripping, turning a key, twisting the forearm, or bearing weight through the hand. A brace may support the wrist and sometimes the forearm, depending on which movements need limiting. It should not be used to hide worsening pain during demanding activity.

Wear the prescribed support for the activities or periods your clinician recommends. Keep the wrist in a neutral, comfortable position and avoid forceful twisting, heavy gripping, and pushing up from a chair until cleared. Loosen and check the brace if fingers tingle, swell, or change colour. Keep skin clean and dry, and maintain movement of the fingers and any other joints your plan allows.

Contact your clinician if the brace causes persistent pressure pain, numbness, skin damage, or swelling, or if wrist clicking and pain are getting worse despite reduced use. Seek urgent help for a new injury with severe deformity, a cold or blue hand, or sudden loss of feeling or movement.

Ask whether you need a wrist-only or forearm-support brace, which rotations to avoid, how long support is expected, and when strengthening or hand therapy can be introduced.