History

Tears of the triangular fibrocartilage are typically the result of a fall on the outstretched upper extremity. The ulna is driven distally and compresses the TFCC between itself and the lunate, producing a central or radial tear of the articular disk. This same mechanism can result in lunatotriquetral tears and peripheral TFCC tears, neither of which is discussed further here.

Forceful ulnar deviation, as observed in racquet sports and golf, can lead to TFCC tears. The combination of ulnar axial load and torque can be sufficient to tear the triangular fibrocartilage. Gymnastics, with its significant axial loading of the wrists, can also lead to a TFCC tear.

At least 50% of intra-articular distal radius fractures are associated with tears of the triangular fibrocartilage. However, many of these remain asymptomatic and require no treatment.

An ulnar abutment syndrome can develop as a result of settling of a distal radial fracture fragment. The radial collapse leads to a relative lengthening of the ulna. Palmer and colleagues² demonstrated an increase in the ulnocarpal load with increasing ulnar variance.

Repetitive axial loading of the wrist in a patient with an ulnar-zero or ulnar-plus variance can lead to an attritional tear of the triangular fibrocartilage and ulnar abutment syndrome.

Physical Examination

Ulnocarpal palpation can give some insight into the condition of the TFCC. The synovitis associated with a TFCC tear can render simple palpation of the ulnocarpal joint uncomfortable.

The ulnocarpal compression test (Fig. 22-3) is particularly helpful in assessing the patient with a suspected ulnar abutment syndrome. In this test, the patient sits in front of the examiner with the wrist in supination. The wrist is simultaneously ulnarly deviated and axially loaded while the forearm is supinated and pronated. The patient with an ulnar abutment syndrome experiences pain at the ulnocarpal joint, with or without popping and grinding, during this maneuver.

FIGURE 22-3 Ulnocarpal compression test.

A variation of the ulnocarpal compression test is the Lester press test (Fig. 22-4).³ In this test, the patient sits in a chair with sturdy arms and lifts himself or herself off the chair seat. Pain at the ulnocarpal joint is considered pathognomonic for a TFCC tear.

FIGURE 22-4 The Lester press test.

Diagnostic Imaging

The radiographic evaluation of a patient with an ulnar abutment should include a standard wrist series and a Palmer 90 × 90 view (Fig. 22-5). The Palmer 90 × 90 view places the forearm in neutral rotation while the elbow is flexed to 90 degrees and the shoulder is abducted to 90 degrees.⁴ The ulnar variance is calculated from this view. An ulnar abutment can be suspected in a patient with an ulnar-zero or ulnar-minus variance. The ulnar aspect of the lunate should be carefully examined for subchondral cysts.

FIGURE 22-5 Ulnar plus variance noted on a Palmer 90 × 90 view.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should be considered when evaluating the patient for ulnar abutment. MRI demonstrates increased signal in the lunate on T2 images (Fig. 22-6), corresponding to a cyst or intraosseous edema. The triangular fibrocartilage can also be evaluated on the MRI images. Whether a magnetic resonance (MR) arthrogram is needed is a function of the MR resolution. The accuracy of lower-resolution MR is increased with the addition of an intra-articular gadolinium injection.

FIGURE 22-6 Magnetic resonance image of a wrist with an ulnar abutment demonstrating the change in signal at the ulnar proximal lunate on T1-weighted and T2-weighted images.

Nonoperative Management

Immobilization of the involved wrist with a Munster splint or a long arm cast for 4 weeks, combined with a course of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, can be helpful in patients who present acutely. A TFCC tear that is exacerbated by specific activities occasionally responds to activity modification.