TFCC Injury
It can be dismissed as a simple sprain. Get a confident diagnosis that can often avoid a costly MRI and a treatment plan that helps many wrists recover without surgery.
- Certified Hand Therapist (CHT)
- Consultant Hand Therapist
- Hand, wrist & upper limb specialist
Many TFCC injuries heal without surgery when the right treatment is prescribed. Ms Razo teaches TFCC diagnosis and treatment to Hand Therapists internationally.
What is a TFCC injury?
The triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) is a critical structure on the little-finger side of the wrist. It stabilises the joint where the two forearm bones meet, cushions load through the wrist and lets the forearm rotate smoothly. When it tears, that whole side of the wrist becomes painful and unreliable.
Injuries split into traumatic tears (which can follow a fall or rotational sports injury) and degenerative tears that develop with wear. Because the symptoms mimic a simple sprain, they can be missed. The sooner it is correctly identified, the better the outcome.
What you might notice
- Pain on the little finger side of the wrist, which can be felt deep within the joint
- Pain reproduced by forearm rotation, particularly when gripping or loading the wrist
- A clicking, clunking or snapping sensation with wrist rotation
- Weakness of grip, especially when the forearm is in rotation
- Instability: a feeling of the wrist giving way
Why it happens
- A fall onto an outstretched hand
- Rotational wrist injuries during sport, especially racquet sports
- Forceful gripping and twisting at work or in the gym
- Alongside a distal radius (wrist) fracture
- Gradual degenerative wear with age
TFCC injuries can be underdiagnosed.
- Little-finger-side wrist pain that is not improving
- Clicking or clunking with wrist rotation
- Pain after a fall or twist that was dismissed as a sprain
- Grip weakness affecting work, sport or daily life
How it's treated
A confident diagnosis can come at the first appointment through hands-on clinical testing, which may spare the cost and wait of an MRI. From there, treatment is built around your injury and your goals.
- Specialist diagnosis that can avoid an MRI
- Evidence-based, non-operative treatment protocols
- Bespoke wrist rehabilitation programme
- Faster, structured return to sport and work
- Post-surgical rehabilitation after TFCC repair
Protection & pain relief
Immobilisation if required, activity modification and pain management to give the injured tissue the environment it needs to begin healing.
Rehabilitation
Progressive loading, grip strengthening and movement restoration. Progress tracks your compliance with the home programme and splint schedule.
Return to activity
Graded return to sport, work and daily life. Timelines depend on the severity of the injury and how consistently rehab is followed.
People we've helped with this
“I'd seen a number of physios, an osteo and had an MRI. Nobody really gave me a solution. From day one with Michelle it felt different. She specialises in only the hand to shoulder area and was confident she could get me sorted.
Craig BTFCC / ECU wrist injury
“Getting nowhere with the NHS, finding Michelle's clinic was exactly what I needed. She has shown kindness, patience and a real commitment throughout, going far above and beyond.
RockNRollChopsWrist pain & TFCC tear
“Michelle uncovered that my wrist pain was a TFCC injury and was knowledgeable about how this also affected muscles right up my arm into the bicep, shoulder and chest. I'm happy to be getting back into yoga again, pain free.
Kaity HTFCC wrist injury (yoga)
Common questions
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No. You can self-refer directly. No GP letter or consultant referral is needed. If you have existing imaging such as an MRI, it is helpful to bring it along to your first appointment.
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An initial consultation with Ms Razo is £86 for 60 minutes. Follow-up sessions are £66 for 45 minutes. If a wrist support or splint is required, prices start from £30 depending on the type. Ms Razo is a registered provider with BUPA and H3.
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Yes. Ms Razo successfully treats TFCC injuries via virtual appointments for patients who cannot attend in person. Tele-rehabilitation allows for assessment, exercise prescription and ongoing management remotely. Find out more about virtual Hand Therapy appointments.
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When non-operative treatment is elected, TFCC healing can take up to 3 months. Recovery following surgical repair is longer, with wrist immobilisation for 4 to 6 weeks post-operatively and a full rehabilitation programme lasting up to 6 months.
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Yes. Contrary to the traditional view that TFCC injuries require surgical intervention, evidence supports that many TFCC tears can heal non-operatively when the appropriate healing environment and treatment protocol is prescribed. Ms Razo has a proven track record of successfully rehabilitating TFCC injuries without surgery.
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Yes. Without appropriate treatment, a TFCC tear can progress with activities of daily living such as carrying shopping bags or weight-bearing through the wrist, leading to chronic ulnar-sided wrist pain, distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability and further degenerative change.
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No. TFCC tears are soft tissue injuries and are not visible on X-ray. MRI is the gold standard imaging investigation for diagnosing TFCC tears. However, there are well-established clinical provocation tests, supported by research, that can differentially diagnose a TFCC tear during a specialist Hand Therapy assessment without imaging.
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Yes. TFCC tears are a significant soft tissue injury that causes pain, reduces grip strength and affects wrist function. The TFCC stabilises the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ), so damage to this structure can have a meaningful impact on daily activities, work and sport if not properly managed.
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The evidence for steroid injections as a standalone and effective treatment for TFCC injuries is limited. Research shows injections may provide short-term pain relief, but do not address the underlying structural problem. Successful non-operative management depends on appropriate immobilisation, if required, and specialist rehabilitation rather than injections alone. Ms Razo regularly sees patients whose TFCC symptoms have persisted despite injection treatment elsewhere. A thorough clinical assessment can determine the most appropriate treatment path and avoid unnecessary procedures.
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Clinically reviewed by Ms Michelle Razo CHT · May 2026