TFCC injury

Hi.
Ok short version first. Have injured my left wrist, and due to ongoing issues wth my left wrist I ignored it for the first couple of months, however pain in the ulnar region (i think thats correct?) has increased, mainly when wrist is at an akward angle and I twist, so closing doors, holding a mug of coffee etc. I have just seen a physiotherapist who has given me a few exercises to do but other than that not alot else. I am unable to stop work as a mechanic so my wrist is not getting enough rest I think, the pain is almost constant at work in that side of my wrist even though it is splinted, I am takng 400mg Ibuprofen 3 times a day and have just started the exercises but even after a couple of minutes of this, the pain increases.

Extra info, I broke my scaffoid about 8 years ago and had alot of trouble with my wrist, at the time I didnt know it had not healed and was back at work lifting gearboxes etc. in and out and in a lot of paim. 6 months later it re-diagnosed as still broken and had a bone graft from my hip and a pin put through my scaffoid. It worked, have 80% movement in that wrst since, but I often get twinges and gristly feelings, which is why I ignored this new pain for so long.

I should also add that one of the specialists I saw, when he looked at my Xrays did seem to think there were a couple of hairline fractures on the other side of the wrist (one at the end of the radius bone is that right?) which would indicate the injury and damage was spread throught my wrist. I dropped 3/4 foot off a drop while mountain biking and took full impact through wrist on that side when landing with my hands still on the handlebars.

Basically just after some advise, I fear this will not heal without more rest, my golf clubs and guitar are collecting dust at the moment as I am doing everythng I can other than work to rest my wristor is there something else I could try?Does this sound more like grade 1 or 2 injury? Shoud I be pushing for steroid shots into the area or even surgery?

Many thanks

Andrew
P.S. Have just ordered a Wrist Widget, may help?

Sounds like you are on the right track with a compressive wrist support. The Wrist Widget is one such device that might actually assist in your daily activites. Often something as simple as a firm wrist band will also do the trick especially the wider tennis style ones. I would not push for injections and if conservative treatment fails then you should consult with a specialist hand surgeon who specializes in sports.

Andrew,

It would be helpful if you could share your weight bearing tolerance with the people who are reading this post. Go to Weight Bearing Test for Wrist Pain - WRIST WIDGET TM and test both wrists. Do not exceed pain and make sure you use a non digital scale. Then retest your weight bearing with the ww on or with tape which is non elastic and does NOT compress the ulna bone (tape it just like the ww) and retest. This will give you a ton of information and demonstrate many dynamics of your wrist and changes with a treatment over the course of time. Report your findings and I will advise you specifically on what to expect and the exact course of treatment.

Warmest Aloha!

Wendy Medeiros, OTR, CHT