Wrist Pain on the Pinkie Side?

You might have a TFCC wrist injury.

Young woman holding left wrist like she is in pain

The TFCC, or Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex, is situated on the outside of the wrist near the base of the pinkie finger. This load-bearing cartilage structure cushions and supports the small carpal bones of the wrist and helps to stabilize the ends of the radius and ulna when the hand is gripping, or when the forearm rotates. The TFCC is only about the size of a dime, but if it’s injured it can become a source of chronic pain.

How is the TFCC injured?

The most common cause of TFCC wrist injury is falling on an outstretched hand. Another common cause is repetitive motion, especially involving forearm rotation. A TFCC tear may also coincide with an inflammatory disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Signs and Symptoms of a TFCC Tear

The main symptom of a TFCC tear is pain along the pinkie side of your wrist, though you might also feel pain throughout your entire wrist. The pain may be constant or only appear when you move your wrist or apply pressure to it. Others symptoms of a TFCC tear may include some or all of the following:

Clicking or popping while turning the forearm or moving the wrist from side to side
Stiffness or weakness in the wrist
Tenderness
Instability
Limited range of motion in the hand or wrist

Types of TFCC Tears

There are two types of TFCC tears, depending on the cause:

Type 1 TFCC tears: These tears are caused by an injury. For example, falling and landing on an outstretched hand, a twisting injury, or a fracture at the end of the radius can damage the cartilage, tendons, or ligaments in your TFCC.
Type 2 TFCC tears: These tears are caused by the slow breakdown of the cartilage in your TFCC, usually due to age or an underlying condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout.

Who is Likely to get a TFCC Tear?

Athletes are at risk, especially those who use a racquet, bat, or a club
Those who put a lot of pressure on the wrist such as gymnasts and yoga enthusiasts
People who work in fields involving repetitive motion like carpenters, assembly line workers, cashiers, or computer programmers
Degenerative tears are more common in people over 50

Diagnosing a TFCC Tear

It can be difficult to find the cause of ulnar-sided wrist pain in the area of the TFCC since there are other conditions in this area that can cause similar problems. A doctor may use special wrist examination methods such as a compression, stress, fovea, supination, piano key, or grind test to diagnose a TFCC tear. X-rays might be taken. Sometimes other studies such as a CT scan or MRI might be needed.

Treating the TFCC Wrist Injury

Your doctor or physical therapist will suggest treatments and exercises that over time will help to return you to normal function, including:

Rest
Short-term activity modifications
Anti-inflammatory medication or corticosteroid injections
Physical Therapy
Splinting or bracing, like the Bullseye Wrist Band, to support the unstable wrist
In some cases, surgery

The techniques used to repair TFCC tears will depend on the exact location and severity of the tear. If surgery is required, a wrist brace or splint is usually worn for up to six weeks postoperatively. After this time, your doctor or physical therapist will recommend a plan for helping you to recover through exercises or other therapy.

How The Bullseye Wrist Band Might Help

Hands gripping golf club with Bullseye Brace Wrist Band worn on right wrist

While most people fully recover from a TFCC tear through either physical therapy or surgery, you may still feel mild pain or stiffness in your wrist for several years. Work with your doctor or hand therpist to manage any residual pain or stiffness. Depending on your pain level, you may need to continue to do physical therapy or wear a brace while doing certain tasks.

We designed the Bullseye Wrist Band to relieve pain by providing general compression to the affected wrist, without putting painful pressure on the ulnar head. It is often recommended for post-operative support, or for addressing pain on the pinkie side of the wrist as a result of TFCC dysfunction.