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 little-finger-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)
If any of these is sudden or severe, call 911 or go to an emergency room. For the others, get examined before you start self-care.
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
The longer road
- 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
How we can help
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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.