FAQs

What do you advise for a broken wrist that clunks and hurts?

About a year ago, I fell while skateboarding with my 10-year-old granddaughter. At age 67, I know it was a stupid thing to do. I broke my wrist during the fall and it still clunks and hurts. And I don't have the strength I need in that hand. What do you advise? It sounds like there may be some instability in the wrist. That means some of the soft tissues (ligaments, cartilage) might have been injured at the same time as the bone fracture. There is one ligament in particular that could cause the ...

When can I expect full recovery from a dislocated lunate bone?

I am a construction worker just getting back to work part-time after a wrist injury that dislocated my lunate bone and tore the ligaments around it. Can I expect to get full recovery? The lunate carpal (wrist) bone doesn't dislocate easily and usually only after significant high-energy trauma. The lunate is well-stabilized because it is neatly tucked in between the two bones of the forearm, the two other carpal bones on either side, and another row of carpal bones next to the fingers. It takes ...

Why was only my wrist lunate bone dislocated when I fell?

I dislocated the lunate bone of my wrist when I fell off my bike and hit the pavement with my hands. When I looked on-line I saw how this bone is protected by the other bones around it. Nothing else was dislocated so how or why did this one pop out? The lunate carpal (wrist) bone is neatly tucked in between the two bones of the forearm, the two other carpal bones on either side, and another row of carpal bones next to the fingers.It doesn't dislocate easily and usually only after significant hig...

What is ulnocarpal impaction syndrome?

To understand ulnocarpal impaction syndrome, picture where the ulnar bone of the forearm meets the wrist. This will be on the little finger side of the wrist. The two bones are jammed together (ulna against the wrist). The condition usually causes pain along that side of the wrist.The constant force of the ulna against the ligament (triangular fibrocartilage complex or TFCC) between the two bones causes injury to this area of soft tissue. There are several possible causes of this problem. The fi...

How long does it take to recover from surgery for a torn triangular cartilage in the wrist?

The triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) is an important feature of the wrist. It suspends the ends of the radius and ulna bones of the forearm over the wrist. As the name suggests, it is triangular in shape and made up of several ligaments and cartilage. The TFCC makes it possible for the wrist to move in six different directions (bending, straightening, twisting, side-to-side).Mild injuries of the TFCC may be referred to as a wrist sprain. As the name suggests, the soft tissues of the wris...

Why do we need another imaging test for a wrist fracture

Can you explain something to me? My mother broke her wrist and when I took her to the hospital they did X-rays but also a CT scan. Once they knew the break was a simple fracture without separation of the bones (seen with the X-ray) why the need for another expensive imaging test? There are some potential complications with wrist fractures that can cause serious problems later. This is true even with nondisplaced fractures. One of those complications is a rupture of the extensor pollicis longus (...

Torn TFCC - no change in pain - Recommendations please

I am frustrated and very anxious. I have a torn TFCC in my right wrist (I am right handed). I've spent the last three months in a splint with no change in my pain. If it was going to heal on its own, would it have happened by now? The surgeon is recommending an arthroscopic exam before trying something different. What do you think? As the name suggests, triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) is triangular in shape and made up of several ligaments and cartilage. It stabilizes the distal radioul...

What should I do about wrist pain -- will x-rays help

I've been hobbling along for months now with wrist pain -- mostly along the pinky side but the whole wrist hurts. Sometimes it swells up and starts to click. It's starting to affect my bowling score so I guess it's time to do something about it. The question is what? Would an X-ray help? I know it's not broken but I don't know what's wrong. Wrist pain along the ulnar side is the main symptom of a condition called a triangular fibrocartilage complex tear (TFCC). It is triangular in shape and made...

What options do I have for wrist pain?

I've had six years of wrist pain that has been manageable but now starting to interfere with work. Over-the-counter pain relievers and antiinflammatories aren't doing the trick. Neither is the wrist splint I've been wearing. Are there any other options? Much of treatment for painful wrist conditions depends on the underlying cause. Treatment may vary depending on the location and severity of symptoms or type of damage present (if there is any).One of the most common causes of chronic wrist pain ...

Am I eligible for a wrist joint replacement?

Q: I'm wondering if it's time to get a wrist joint replacement. I know these artificial joints are available. How do I found out if I might be eligible? You'll probably want to consult with your primary care physician who will likely refer you to a hand surgeon. Wrist replacements referred to as distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) prostheses aren't exactly new but they are still being perfected.Surgeons have had to go back to the drawing board on several occasions while working out the bugs in wrist...