I fell three months ago, on a new job for which I was being trained. The intial injury was diagonised as a sprained wrist, but since then I have had an MRI, and further x-rays. I have had physical therapy for a month, and now a cortisone injection into my wrist. I got some relief from the pain, and felt like I was improving, but yesterday, at (my newly perscribed) continuance of therapy I found my improvement is not that good.
The tear in the TFCC is slight, the damage to the scaphoid vague, but the pain and lack of movemet are very real. I also broke the radius, but by the time that showed up, it was mostly "healed." The CAT scan, and first x-ray did not indicate a break.
I want to know if the shot, and the therapy will be enough, or if surgery looms on my horizon. Any thoughts.......Thanks.
Many years ago I had a soft ball injury that was difficult to diagnose. Through rounds of PT and testing I ended up with surgery to correct nerve damage to my hand, remove a cyst, and clean out the tendon shealths. In the end it was a TFCC tear. They fixed it through the scope; however, stupid me went biking not too long after fully released and tore it again.
Since the repair, I have had no problems with the joint and have regained about 65% of movement, but most of that lost was due to the prior surgeries, not for the TFCC.
As for the pain, it grew intollerable. It was something that limited everything that I did. I opted for surgery and would again if needed. The recovery for me was 10 days in a post op plaster cast, 6-8 weeks in a hard cast above my elbow in a bent position, and anouther 4-6 in a split (with PT).
Thanks for your comments, as well as your insight. I am now past three months into this injury. The steroid shot is wearing off, and my pain level is rising. PT is not helping, but I return to the Dr. in a few days. I am hoping my Ortho. will suggest a hand specialist who will (rapidly) diagnose, and treat this problem. I probably have my hopes too high, but I will see soon.
Last edited by wifeofaprince; 06-19-2009 at 06:02 AM.
Reason: missed a word in a sentance
scapoid injury/TFCC tear 
