TFCC tear?

[focus_911]

Unless there is more medically that we don't know about yet, it is a very straight forward operation. I was back at work within 3 days.

[fordtough4x4]

Hello all,
I am new to this forum(actually found it from googling TFCC tear).Three weeks ago I experienced sudden sharp pains in my pinky up to my wrist.I went to work the next day,suffered through the day,and the following day I had made an appointment with my family doctor.About halfway through the day I was installing a small valve and my wrist popped(extremely loud).After the pop I was in the most excrusiating pain of my life,I'm a big guy,and have an extremely high tolerence for pain,and this put me on the floor.When I looked at my wrist after the pop there was an enormous bulge.That afternoon I went to my scheduled appointment at which time he laughed, and said "That looks like it hurts like hell,that is way beyond me,take these and go see this doctor".The orthopaedic doctor braced it,x-rayed it,doped me up,and sent me on my way.Over the course of the following week my condition quickly went downhill(sudden sharp pains up to my bicep,numbness,constant pain,....not looking too good).So he re x-rayed it and consulted with others at his practice and "they" noticed that the lump in my wrist is actually my bone out of place.He sent me for an MRI.He read the MRI in the room with me at which time he shook his head and said "I cant fix this,you need to see a hand/wrist specialist".He informed me that there is a piece of broken cartillage about the size of a dime,several tears,and it looks like the ligament is tore.The reason for me telling y'all this is to see if there is anyone else out there who has been through this type of surgery,knows of any published success rates for these types of surgeries,or any info. in general that might help me.Due to the nature of my job (union industrial pipefitter/HVAC mechanic) I cannot wear a brace for 4-8 weeks and hope that it works.I need it fixed,and now(haha).Anyone out there that might be able to help me?

[focus_911]

Hello all,
I am new to this forum(actually found it from googling TFCC tear).Three weeks ago I experienced sudden sharp pains in my pinky up to my wrist.I went to work the next day,suffered through the day,and the following day I had made an appointment with my family doctor.About halfway through the day I was installing a small valve and my wrist popped(extremely loud).After the pop I was in the most excrusiating pain of my life,I'm a big guy,and have an extremely high tolerence for pain,and this put me on the floor.When I looked at my wrist after the pop there was an enormous bulge.That afternoon I went to my scheduled appointment at which time he laughed, and said "That looks like it hurts like hell,that is way beyond me,take these and go see this doctor".The orthopaedic doctor braced it,x-rayed it,doped me up,and sent me on my way.Over the course of the following week my condition quickly went downhill(sudden sharp pains up to my bicep,numbness,constant pain,....not looking too good).So he re x-rayed it and consulted with others at his practice and "they" noticed that the lump in my wrist is actually my bone out of place.He sent me for an MRI.He read the MRI in the room with me at which time he shook his head and said "I cant fix this,you need to see a hand/wrist specialist".He informed me that there is a piece of broken cartillage about the size of a dime,several tears,and it looks like the ligament is tore.The reason for me telling y'all this is to see if there is anyone else out there who has been through this type of surgery,knows of any published success rates for these types of surgeries,or any info. in general that might help me.Due to the nature of my job (union industrial pipefitter/HVAC mechanic) I cannot wear a brace for 4-8 weeks and hope that it works.I need it fixed,and now(haha).Anyone out there that might be able to help me?

If they tell you to wear a brace for 6 weeks, trust me you are going to do it. If you want to continue to do what you're doing, let alone work at all you better be following the directions given by the docs you see.

What you describe happened to you, is what happened to me, minus the loose piece of cartilage. The injury happened 9 years ish ago and I am still paying for it, and it is a high price to pay. I am now going thru a career change (after working as a paramedic for 5 years) and still undergoing surgery.

Ligaments are honestly the sickest, most painful and worst injuries you can get. Until you see someone for that arm, BRACE IT. I don't give a crap what your reason is as to why you can't or second guessing why you shouldn't do it. DO IT.

I won't re-type what I went thru and will give the links. Look up my screen name and read my friend.

I'm being blunt because of the seriousness of the injury. You can take it or leave it tho I suggest to take it. I really should take some time out and start a thread with what I went thru. Would save the work of finding the bits and pieces I have posted on this forum...

Feel free to pm me.

I'll try to start up a thread tomorrow if I can.

http://www.injuryupdate.com.au/forum...ead.php?t=6441

http://www.injuryupdate.com.au/forum...ead.php?t=6483

[largeturkey]

I had arthroscopic surgery to repair a minor tear in my tfcc and they shaved my bone down b/c they thought that may have added to my pain. Originally after the initial aggravation, the wrist hurt alot, however, after a while my wrist didn't hurt unless I did something strenuous (play tennis, ice hockey). Anything with a wrist flip. I got the surgery 3.5 weeks ago and get the cat off on Friday, after which I wear a brace. Has anyone had this surgery with a successful result. I'm relatively young (22), so I hope I'm back to normal by August (initial surgery was on june 18).

[jtk73]

Shaved the bone down? Do you mean ulna shortening where they cut 2-4mm out of the bone moreso in the forearm?

I am going in for Ulna shortening in December and my doctor told me that it was going to be very painful after the surgery and that it would be about 6mths before it would be fully functional again. But from all internet research and advice, I have told it is normally quite successful.

[largeturkey]

I guess "shaved the bone down" was not the correct phrase. Thanks for the info. I have not had to much pain. They gave me vikaden. I only took it twice, and I did not really need it. It just helped me sleep. If I tried it move it around alot right after the surgery (which I couldn't really do b/c I was in a cast that went above the elbow) it hurt, but if it was held still, there was minimal pain. I appreciate your quick response to my post and good luck with your surgery. Does recovery time depend partly on age? I will update this thread with recovery details. Its strange how people from halfway across the world are going through the same thing as you (I'm from NYC, USA)

[jtk73]

I suppose it would depend on age, i am 34, but an athlete, so maybe i recover better than normal??? but generally the doc said 6mths

[focus_911]

Shaved the bone down? Do you mean ulna shortening where they cut 2-4mm out of the bone moreso in the forearm?

I am going in for Ulna shortening in December and my doctor told me that it was going to be very painful after the surgery and that it would be about 6mths before it would be fully functional again. But from all internet research and advice, I have told it is normally quite successful.

The recovery is correct, it doesnt take months before you can start lifting and doing typical day to day activities. I find it quite interesting that the surgeon would say "that it was going to be very painful after the surgery"
The recovery of the surgery itself as less painful than fracturing your arm. A much bigger deal is being made out of this, than needs be.

[fordtough4x4]

If they tell you to wear a brace for 6 weeks, trust me you are going to do it. If you want to continue to do what you're doing, let alone work at all you better be following the directions given by the docs you see.

What you describe happened to you, is what happened to me, minus the loose piece of cartilage. The injury happened 9 years ish ago and I am still paying for it, and it is a high price to pay. I am now going thru a career change (after working as a paramedic for 5 years) and still undergoing surgery.

Ligaments are honestly the sickest, most painful and worst injuries you can get. Until you see someone for that arm, BRACE IT. I don't give a crap what your reason is as to why you can't or second guessing why you shouldn't do it. DO IT.

I won't re-type what I went thru and will give the links. Look up my screen name and read my friend.

I'm being blunt because of the seriousness of the injury. You can take it or leave it tho I suggest to take it. I really should take some time out and start a thread with what I went thru. Would save the work of finding the bits and pieces I have posted on this forum...

Feel free to pm me.

I'll try to start up a thread tomorrow if I can.

http://www.injuryupdate.com.au/forum...ead.php?t=6441

http://www.injuryupdate.com.au/forum...ead.php?t=6483

The brace I was refering to was the "wrist widget" everyone is talking about...believe me...I am wearing the brace the doctor gave me.My two-cents to anyone else going through something like this....dont believe the doctor when he give you a brace and says"you cant hurt it any worse than it is now".Yesterday I felt my "torn ligament" completely tear,now I cant move my hand,and I'm eating percocet like candy....yay

[fordtough4x4]

If they tell you to wear a brace for 6 weeks, trust me you are going to do it. If you want to continue to do what you're doing, let alone work at all you better be following the directions given by the docs you see.

What you describe happened to you, is what happened to me, minus the loose piece of cartilage. The injury happened 9 years ish ago and I am still paying for it, and it is a high price to pay. I am now going thru a career change (after working as a paramedic for 5 years) and still undergoing surgery.

Ligaments are honestly the sickest, most painful and worst injuries you can get. Until you see someone for that arm, BRACE IT. I don't give a crap what your reason is as to why you can't or second guessing why you shouldn't do it. DO IT.

I won't re-type what I went thru and will give the links. Look up my screen name and read my friend.

I'm being blunt because of the seriousness of the injury. You can take it or leave it tho I suggest to take it. I really should take some time out and start a thread with what I went thru. Would save the work of finding the bits and pieces I have posted on this forum...

Feel free to pm me.

I'll try to start up a thread tomorrow if I can.

http://www.injuryupdate.com.au/forum...ead.php?t=6441

http://www.injuryupdate.com.au/forum...ead.php?t=6483

Thanks for the advice focus....not exactly the news I wanted to hear.Believe me I am wearing the brace the doctor gave me,I was refering to the "wrist widget".And my two-cents for anyone else going through an injury like this is......dont believe the doctor when he tells you that you "cant hurt it anymore than it already is,as long as you wear the brace".Yesterday I felt my "torn"ligament let go.The bone is pushed about two inches out of place,my arm is black and blue,and I'm eating percocet like candy......yay.