The role of arthroscopy in the evaluation and treatment of triangular fibrocartilage complex injuries in athletes

Abstract

Treating athletes with TFCC injuries can be a difficult but very rewarding undertaking. Each athlete has individual priorities and concerns, ranging from general health and fitness for the recreational athlete to earning or potentially earning a living as a professional athlete. It is crucial for the treating surgeon to understand these issues to offer the appropriate treatment options at the appropriate time. Triangular fibrocartilage complex injuries are quite common in athletes because of the high loads placed on the ulnar side of the wrist, especially with ulnar-neutral and positive variance. The goal of treatment for the competitive athlete with a TFCC lesion is to hasten maximal recovery and return the athlete to participation at the pre-injury level of performance. Early wrist arthroscopy and treatment of TFCC pathology in this population is certainly a real and valuable treatment option. As has been stated, "the TFCC is the new frontier of wrist surgery" and arthroscopy has helped blaze the trail to this frontier. Competitive and recreational athletes alike benefit from arthroscopic treatment of their TFCC injuries.