CYPRUS HAND SURGERY · PAPHOS & LIMASSOL
Wrist arthroscopy and TFCC injuries
Wrist arthroscopy uses a small camera to inspect structures inside the wrist. It may help diagnose or treat selected problems when examination, imaging and the response to non-surgical care indicate a reason to operate.
What is the TFCC?
The triangular fibrocartilage complex supports the little-finger side of the wrist and the joint used for forearm rotation. An injury can cause pain with gripping or turning, sometimes with clicking. Similar symptoms have other causes, so a scan finding must be considered alongside your examination. Cleveland Clinic: TFCC injuries.
Treatment depends on stability
Some injuries can be managed with protection, activity adjustment and rehabilitation. An unstable injury or persistent symptoms may require surgery. Arthroscopy can assess the tear and, where appropriate, trim damaged tissue or repair it. These are different procedures with different aftercare. Gloucestershire Hospitals: TFCC injuries.
Recovery and questions to ask
A repaired TFCC needs protection while it heals; restrictions on forearm rotation and loading can be longer than after a simple diagnostic procedure. Improvement may take months and full normality is not guaranteed. Ask which tissue will be treated, whether a cast is expected and when therapy, driving and work can resume.
Arthroscopy carries risks including infection, nerve or tendon injury, swelling and scarring. Small skin incisions do not remove the need for careful rehabilitation. AAOS: risks and aftercare.
Related images and demonstrations
View the relevant procedure material in our treatment directory. Clinical demonstrations show selected examples and do not predict your own outcome.