The triangular fibrocartilage (FCT), also known as the articular disc, is located on the ulnar aspect of the wrist. It consists of tough fibrous tissue and cartilage and acts as an important stabilizer of the lower radioulnar joint. This structure connects and supports the joint between the bones of the forearm at the wrist, which provides stability to it. In this post we talk about triangular fibrocartilage injury, its symptoms, causes and its best treatment.
What is triangular fibrocartilage injury?
The rupture of the triangular fibrocartilage appears when the structure of the wrist suffers a tear, thereby influencing the strength and mobility of the wrist.
Triangular fibrocartilage injury occurs in 35% of wrist fracture cases and the main risk group for suffering from this pathology are people over 60 years of age.
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Request a medical evaluationSymptoms of triangular fibrocartilage complex injury
Some patients who suffer from a lesion of the complex triangular fibrocartilage do not present pain or problems using the wrist. If there are symptoms, the most frequent signs in these patients are:
- Clicking when turning the forearm or moving the wrist.
- Wrist weakness and loss of strength.
- Limited wrist mobility.
What causes triangular fibrocartilage injury?
Triangular fibrocartilage can be affected in two different ways: by trauma or by a degenerative injury.
In cases where the injury appears due to trauma, it generally appears due to a wrist fracture, generally due to a fall in which the hand has been hyperextended. So, an injury to the triangular fibrocartilage It is very common to find it in rugby, judo, handball or basketball players..
Although people who practice contact sports are prone to this type of injury, the risk of an injury to the triangular fibrocartilage increases with age, as indicated above.
Other causes of this injury are due to a twisting injury or a fracture of the distal end of the radius.
If this lesion is degenerative, an abnormal ulnar variance is found, that is, when there is a poor relationship between the ulna and the radius. This is due to the progressive wear of all the components of the wrist.
Diagnosis and treatment of a triangular fibrocartilage lesion
Locating the cause of pain in the ulnar edge of the wrist can be difficult, as many times there is no clear sign of trauma. The initial study of these patients is carried out through a physical examination and a wrist x-ray, in which the ulnar variance can be observed and if there are degenerative changes.. First, the existence of the patient's symptoms will be studied, which generally presents as pain in the ulnar part of the wrist, although some patients cannot identify where the pain comes from and treat it as pain in the entire wrist.
With this test, other pathologies such as wrist instability can also be identified and ruled out. On the other hand, magnetic resonance imaging also makes it possible to identify lesions of the triangular fibrocartilage, in addition to seeing possible alterations that may be present in the wrist, which should be considered in these patients, especially those who suffer from arthritis.
Initially, the indications from a specialist are rest and anti-inflammatories, since in many cases, these types of injuries do not require surgical intervention to reduce and put an end to the symptoms.
Traumatologist for triangular fibrocartilage injury
In the presence of pain that does not improve with conservative treatment and after diagnosis by a specialist, treatment by wrist arthroscopy may be recommended. The Elgeadi Clinic team has a team of hand and wrist specialist traumatologists with extensive experience in the medical sector, pioneers at a national and international level.
Through wrist arthroscopy, our experts can visualize and act on the structures of the wrist such as tendons, cartilage, ligaments or nerves, so that the patient obtains very good results and recovery is very fast.
Wrist arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure, where through small incisions of about 3 millimeters, an arthroscope is introduced for correct observation of the area affected by the injury.
In any patient, it is important that wrist arthroscopy be performed by a traumatologist specialized in hand and wrist who masters this technique.
If you suffer from a traumatic injury, do not wait for it to worsen over time and make an appointment with the Elgedi Clinic team. experts in hand and wrist traumatology in Madrid for the most accurate treatment possible. Our team has extensive experience and the most advanced technology in the medical sector.
10 thoughts on “Lesión del fibrocartílago triangular: síntomas, causas, diagnóstico y tratamiento”
Good morning, I have had wrist pain for two months due to a work accident, some boxes of frozen bread fell on the palm of my hand, which has not improved with the use of anti-inflammatory drugs. I will have an MRI because it seems that I have a triangular fibrocartilage injury. A couple of days ago I started to notice when I moved my wrist it made clicking noises and that is worrying me a lot.
Good morning Franciely,
Thank you for visiting our blog. We are very sorry for what happened.
In order to help you, it would be necessary for you to come to our trauma clinic, where we can perform the necessary medical studies to offer you a professional diagnosis.
All the best.
Good afternoon. I am 59 years old and two months ago I suffered a fall in which I put my hand. It swelled up and I can't practically move my fingers. I have had an MRI and the diagnosis is: moderate trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis. Increased scapholunar space suggestive of rupture of the homonymous ligament. Moderate intercarpal and distal ulnar radius joint effusion. Generalized flexotensor tenosynovitis. Rupture of central fibers of the body of the triangular fiphrocartilage of the carpus at its radial insertion.
I would like you to give me a rating on this since I don't know what to do because no one tells me anything concrete. Thank you
Hello Gerard, thank you very much for your question.
In order to give this assessment, it is necessary to perform a complete examination, reviewing the images and manipulating the wrist to be able to reach an accurate diagnosis and thus offer you the best therapeutic option.
Hello, good morning, my husband had some plates placed inside him, how long will he be with those plates, does he have fibrocartilage injury, can he drive?
Hello Eleodora,
We cannot give you an answer without knowing your husband's case. To know that we would have to know the injury, your age, physical condition, history. etc
Greetings
Bonjour je viens de recevoir le diagnostique suite a une IRM et cest une dechirure au ligament scafo lunaire survenu des cause de mon travail qui demande d'utiliser beaucoup ce poignet en faisant plusieurs torsion, quel serait la façon adéquate pour la guerison, j'ai deja fait physio sans amelioration. Will a surgery be the next option? Mercy
Hello Laabel,
Nous ne pouvons pas vous donner a medical treatment without a corresponding examination and the knowledge of your medical antecedents.
You can return to our center of Madrid by calling 91 005 39 00.
Cordialement, je vous prie d'agréer, Monsieur, l'expression de mes salutations distinguées.
Hello, good afternoon. I had an accident and now I have a hemorrhage on my hand. What should I do? Can I work like this? No, I work in cleaning.
Hi Miriam. After an accident, a "bleed" on the hand is usually a bruise or swelling, but it's important to have it checked to rule out injury. If there is significant pain, swelling, limited finger movement, tingling, or discoloration, go to the emergency room. In the meantime, rest, keep your hand elevated, apply ice for 10–15 minutes, and avoid strenuous activity. It's best not to work until you've been seen by a doctor.