A Qatari tennis player and coach was operated by Dr. Erkki Kivela, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon, and team for a TFCC tear.
Surgeons at Al-Ahli Hospital’s Orthopedic and Traumatology Department have performed a minimal invasive surgery which is rare one to be held in a private hospital, for Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) Tears.
TFCC tears are a common source of ulnar-sided wrist pain.
A 35-year-old Qatari tennis player and coach was operated by Dr. Erkki Kivela, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon, and team for a TFCC tear, which is common among athletes who regularly rotate or put pressure on their wrists.
Four months after the surgery the tennis player is recovering fast, according to Dr Kivela.
“TFCC is an area between your ulna and wrist boes in the wrist. Your TFCC is made of several ligaments and tendons, as well as cartilage cushion. It stabilizes your forearm bones and wrist when you grasp something with your hand or rotate your forearm,” he said.
“Athletes who regularly rotate or put pressure on their wrists, like in gym exercise, tennis, gymnastics have a higher risk of developing a TFCC tear. To treat the TFCC tear of this patients we conducted a minimally invasive arthroscopy. During this procedure, we will repair the damaged part of TFCC through a few small incisions around your wrist. In some cases, doctors may need traditional open surgery,” he added.
Dr Kivela emphasized that minimally invasive arthroscopy surgery not commonly available at private hospitals in Qatar.
“We use modern equipment and up-to-date minimally invasive surgical techniques to provide an extensive and fully inclusive service within the Orthopedic Department,” he said.
Dr Kivela also encouraged individuals with TFCC tear to consult an orthopedic surgeon and get early treatment.
“Many people are not aware that TFCC can be treated by non surgical and surgical methods. If resting your wrist and physical therapy don’t provide any relief, you may need surgery to repair the tear,” he said.
Type 1 TFCC tear can be caused by an injury. For example, falling and landing on an outstretched hand can damage the cartilage, tendons, or ligaments in your TFCC. The type 2 tear are caused by the slow breakdown of the cartilage in your TFCC, usually due to age or an underlying condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout.
“You’re also at a higher risk if you’ve previously injured your wrist,” said Dr Kivela.
Diagnosis of TFCC tear is commonly done by clinical examination. Accuracy of MRI scans (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) lies between 60-80%. X-rays will usually look normal.
“The Recovery time for a TFCC tear depends on the type, severity, and treatment of the injury. Following surgery, you’ll need to wear a cast to keep your wrist from moving, usually for about six to eight weeks. Once your cast is removed, you may need physical therapy before your wrist regains its previous strength and function,” said Dr Kivela.
A case study suggests that TFCC tears that do not require surgery can take up to 12 weeks to fully heal. Following surgery, a TFCC tear may take around 3 to 6 months to heal completely.
