Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex

This is a cartilage similar to the cartilage in the knee that is often torn and does not have an adequate blood supply to it. The reason it sometimes causes discomfort is usually because there is a flap of tissue causing irritation of the joint.

For this problem, there are three modes of treatment: no treatment, conservative treatment, and surgical treatment.

Conservative treatment would consist of a cortisone injection or resting the wrist in a brace. Usually, anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy are not beneficial.

If pain persists despite conservative treatment, arthroscopic surgery with debridement of the tear is usually very successful. This can be performed under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis with only two or three small incisions on the wrist.