Common hand & wrist concerns we treat
- Pain that limits walking, lifting, or sleep
- Stiffness, swelling, or reduced range of motion
- Sports injuries — acute or overuse
- Arthritis or post-traumatic joint changes
- Conditions other doctors couldn't resolve
Hand & Wrist · Conditions A–Z
TFCC Tear wrist cartilage injury
A TFCC tear is an injury to the triangular fibrocartilage complex on the pinky side of the wrist — common after a fall or in athletes with rotational sports. Same-day or next-week evaluations across eight LA-area offices.
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Experts in hand & wrist care.
Surgical and non-surgical options at LAOSS.
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What sets LAOSS apart
- Same- or next-day appointments at eight Los Angeles–area offices
- On-site imaging; PT coordinated with your in-network provider
- Conservative-first care, surgery only when needed
- Board-certified specialists, not generalists
Key takeaways
- TFCC Tear is one of many hand & wrist conditions our specialists evaluate every day.
- Most patients improve with conservative care: image-guided injections, bracing, and PT with your in-network provider.
- When a procedure is the right call, we explain every option, recovery timeline, and return-to-activity milestone.
- On-site imaging at most offices and same-day appointments across eight Los Angeles–area locations.
Overview
What is tfcc tear?
A TFCC tear is an injury to the triangular fibrocartilage complex on the pinky side of the wrist — common after a fall or in athletes with rotational sports. Symptoms can develop gradually or after a specific injury, so early evaluation matters when function starts to decline.
Most patients with tfcc tear improve with conservative care — targeted physical therapy, image-guided injections, bracing or supportive footwear when relevant, and activity modification. When conservative care isn't enough or imaging shows structural injury that won't heal on its own, our specialists offer the next-step procedures discussed below.
Below, we walk through the anatomy involved, the symptoms and causes we most often see, how we diagnose tfcc tear, and the full range of treatment options — from the simplest to the most involved.
Patient education
Watch: Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Tear (TFCC Tear)
This is a tear of the tissues that stabilize your wrist. The triangular fibrocartilage complex (we say "TFCC") is made of tendons, ligaments and cartilage. Together, these tissues connect your forearm bones to the bones of your wrist.
Animations licensed from ViewMedica · Swarm Interactive
Anatomy of the hand & wrist — carpal bones, flexor and extensor tendons, and the median nerve.
Anatomy
Inside the hand & wrist.
The hand and wrist are an intricate stack of small bones, tendons, and nerves that let you grip, pinch, and feel. The median, ulnar, and radial nerves carry sensation and movement from the forearm into the fingers. Most hand and wrist problems are either a tendon issue (trigger finger, De Quervain's), a nerve compression (carpal or cubital tunnel), or arthritis at one of the small joints.
Self-orient
When tfcc tear shows up.
Symptoms
Common symptoms
- Pain on the pinky side of the wrist
- Clicking with wrist rotation
- Weakness with gripping or turning a key
- Swelling and tenderness
Causes
Common causes
- Fall onto an outstretched hand
- Repetitive rotation (gymnastics, tennis, racquet sports)
- Distal radius fracture
- Age-related cartilage wear
Diagnostics
How we diagnose tfcc tear
You want answers, fast — and we're built to give them. Most patients leave their first LAOSS visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan, not another referral chain.
Here's what your initial visit for tfcc tear typically looks like:
- Detailed history — when it started, what makes it better or worse, what you've already tried
- Focused exam of the hand & wrist — range of motion, stability, strength, specific provocation tests
- On-site imaging at most offices: X-ray for bone, ultrasound or MRI when soft-tissue detail is needed
- A written plan with options ranging from conservative care to surgical procedures, in plain English
Schedule your evaluation with a trusted Greater Los Angeles orthopedic expert today.
Treatment options
How we treat tfcc tear at LAOSS
Once we've confirmed the diagnosis, the next step is matching the right treatment to your situation. We start with the least-invasive option that fits — and escalate only when it doesn't.
Conservative care
Step 1Conservative care first
Non-surgical options designed to relieve pain, restore movement, and avoid the OR when possible.
- Custom splinting & bracing
- Image-guided steroid injections
- Hand therapy with a CHT-certified PT
- Activity & ergonomic modification
- PRP for chronic tendinopathy
Surgical care
When neededSurgical options when needed
Minimally invasive and reconstructive procedures performed by board-certified orthopedic surgeons.
- Wide-awake (WALANT) hand surgery
- Carpal tunnel release (open or endoscopic)
- Trigger finger release
- De Quervain's release
- Wrist or thumb joint reconstruction
- Fracture fixation when needed
Surgeon expertise
Why experience matters.
Why experience matters
Hand & wrist care is highly technique-dependent. Volume, training, and judgment together determine the outcome you actually feel six months later.
- Precise diagnosis from imaging and exam
- Conservative-first care that avoids unnecessary surgery
- Surgical technique refined over thousands of cases
- On-site imaging + coordinated PT through your in-network provider
The LAOSS approach
Our hand & wrist specialists move stepwise — start with the least-invasive option that fits your situation, escalate only when it doesn't.
- Same-day imaging at most offices
- PT coordinated in your insurance network
- Board-certified surgeons performing the procedures themselves
- Direct access to your specialist between visits
Candidacy
Am I a candidate?
If most of these match your situation, an evaluation with a hand & wrist specialist is the next step.
You may be
You may be a candidate if
These signs typically point toward an in-person evaluation with a hand & wrist specialist.
- Pain or stiffness in the hand & wrist that lasts more than a few days
- Swelling, instability, or noticeable change in function
- Symptoms that limit walking, lifting, sleep, or work
- Previous treatment that didn't fully resolve the problem
- Imaging or exam findings that suggest an underlying issue
Evaluation
What evaluation includes
Your first visit is built to give you an answer the same day, not just another referral.
- Detailed history — onset, mechanism, what makes it better or worse
- Hands-on exam focused on the affected joint or region
- On-site imaging at most offices (X-ray, ultrasound)
- Clear plan with options ranging from conservative to surgical
- Same-day or next-day scheduling for any follow-up tests
ImportantSeek urgent evaluation for sudden severe pain, numbness, progressive weakness, loss of bowel or bladder control, or any sign of infection (fever, increasing redness or swelling).
Recovery
Your hand & wrist recovery roadmap.
Recovery is rarely a straight line — but a clear plan with measurable milestones makes the path predictable.
01Days 0–14
Right after care
In the first two weeks we focus on protecting the hand & wrist, calming inflammation, and restoring basic motion.
- Activity modification with clear do/don't guidance
- Ice, elevation, and pain control as needed
- Gentle range-of-motion within safe limits
- Follow-up scheduled to track healing
02Weeks 2–8
Rehabilitation
Targeted physical therapy rebuilds strength, mobility, and confidence in the hand & wrist.
- Progressive strengthening and neuromuscular work
- Manual therapy and soft-tissue treatment
- Sport- or job-specific movement re-training
- Coordinated PT through your in-network provider
03Months 2+
Long-term care
Once function is restored, the focus shifts to keeping you there — and catching any recurrence early.
- Return-to-activity plan with measured benchmarks
- Home program tailored to your sport or job
- Maintenance visits or imaging if symptoms change
- Direct line back to your specialist if needed
Risks & considerations
What to weigh before you decide.
We talk through the risks and benefits with every patient — informed consent is a conversation, not a form.
General
General considerations
Every orthopedic intervention carries a small set of standard risks. We screen, prepare, and monitor for these on every patient.
- Infection (rare with modern technique and prophylaxis)
- Bleeding or bruising at the treatment site
- Reaction to anesthesia or medications
- Need for additional procedures in some cases
Specific
Hand & wrist-specific considerations
Some risks are tied to the structures we're treating in the hand & wrist. We discuss these in detail at your visit so you can weigh them against the benefits.
- Temporary stiffness or weakness during recovery
- Incomplete pain relief in a small percentage of cases
- Nerve or vessel irritation near the treatment area
- Need for follow-up therapy to fully restore function
Your care team
Meet our hand & wrist doctors in the Greater Los Angeles area
At LAOSS, our hand & wrist specialists combine advanced surgical expertise with a patient-first approach. From minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to joint replacement and arthritis management, our physicians bring decades of experience to every case. Trusted across Los Angeles, our team is dedicated to restoring mobility, relieving pain, and helping you return to the activities you love.
Specialists
Meet your hand & wrist specialists.
About this care
Reliable TFCC Tear pain relief starts here
Don't let tfcc tear be something you just power through. At LAOSS, expert care is close to home. With same- or next-day appointments at multiple Los Angeles locations, you'll never wait weeks or months for answers. Our team offers comprehensive treatment from diagnosis through recovery. Whether you need physical therapy, injections, or surgery, you'll receive coordinated, personalized care every step of the way.
Call or schedule online today to begin your recovery with a trusted hand & wrist specialist in Los Angeles. Relief, confidence, and renewed strength are within reach.
Patient reviews
What patients say about us.
★★★★★4.97,500+ Google reviews
Highly recommend Dr. Dworsky for hip replacement. Patient, thorough, and the recovery has been ahead of schedule. So glad I came here.
Felipe Ortiz
Lincoln Heights, CA · 2 December 2024
FAQ
Common tfcc tear questions
- We start with a focused orthopedic exam and detailed history. X-rays are usually done in-office; MRI or ultrasound is ordered when soft-tissue detail is needed. Most patients leave the first visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan.
- Most tfcc tear patients improve with conservative care — therapy, bracing, medication, and image-guided injections when appropriate. Surgery is reserved for cases where structural injury or persistent symptoms warrant it, and we explain every option before any decision.
- If hand & wrist pain lasts more than a few days, limits movement, or interferes with daily activities, it's time to see a doctor. Sudden injuries, swelling, or weakness should be evaluated right away.
- If you have a PPO plan, no referral is needed — book directly with any of our specialists. HMO plans require a referral from your PCP. If you are unsure, call us at (323) 264-7600 and our team will walk you through it.
Ready when you are
Don't wait on pain.
Book a visit with a hand & wrist specialist at any of our eight Los Angeles–area offices.
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21 specialists · 8 offices
Greater Los Angeles
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