Foveal TFCC tear classification and treatment

Abstract

During the last two decades, increased knowledge of functional anatomy and pathophysiology of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) have contributed to a change in surgeons' perspective toward it. The earlier concept of the TFCC as the "hammock" structure of the ulnar carpus has updated to the "iceberg" concept, whereby the much larger "submerged" part represents the foveal insertions of the TFCC and functions as the stabilizer of the distal radioulnar joint and the ulnar carpus, thus lending it greater functional importance. This article presents an algorithm of the treatment of traumatic peripheral TFCC tear based on clinical, radiological, and arthroscopic findings.