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Found on the same side of the wrist as the little finger, the Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) stabilizes the wrist bones so you can rotate and move your wrist freely. It is made up of ligaments that connect the bones and cartilage that provides cushioning and lubrication between the bones. The ligaments and cartilage of the TFCC are prone to tearing. A minor TFCC injury would be a wrist sprain, but a TFCC injury can be more serious and treatment can be challenging due to poor blood flow to the region, resulting in inadequate healing.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should seek medical treatment: pain when you turn your palm up, such as when opening a door; wrist weakness; wrist instability; a snap or snap in the wrists.
Your doctor will likely take x-rays, an MRI, or an MRI with contrast dye injected to diagnose it (called an arthrogram). If your doctor cannot diagnose you based on the results of these tests, you may need to have a surgical procedure in which a mini camera is inserted to check for tears in your ligaments or cartilage (called arthroscopy).
Your TFCC injury can be attributed to your job. Examples of TFCC work-related injuries include:
– A worker who slips and falls and falls on an outstretched hand.
– A worker using a bit that jams and causes the wrist to twist with force.
– Degeneration over time due to repetitive tasks, such as continually twisting and pulling an item on an assembly line.
In Illinois, if your TFCC injury was caused, aggravated, or accelerated by your job, then you are entitled to benefits under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Law. This means that regardless of a pre-existing condition, if your injury is in any way related to your work activities, then you should be able to get workers’ compensation benefits.
Therefore, the costs of your treatment should be covered or at least supplemented by workers’ compensation if you were injured due to your job. Treatment will usually include the use of a brace or bandage to keep the wrist immobile, as well as anti-inflammatory medications (Advil, Motrin) or even prescription pain relief medications. Other methods to relieve pain and inflammation include icing and cortisone injections.
If none of the above works to relieve your symptoms, your doctor may recommend arthroscopic surgery, using the same method for diagnosis described above, but where debridement (consisting of smoothing and shaving) of the cartilage tears is performed.
If your TFCC injury is work-related, you should hire a workers’ compensation attorney to ensure you get all the benefits to which you are entitled. If you are concerned about the cost of a lawyer, keep in mind that your lawyer must work on a contingency basis. This means you pay nothing unless you get something. All fees, costs and expenses will come from the amount you recover and should only be a percentage of that total amount. But, if you receive nothing, you owe nothing.
A work-related injury can cause a great deal of stress, both physical and mental. You shouldn’t have to suffer the expense as well. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney will help you through the process and make sure you get the maximum benefits. Consider your legal rights and call a highly experienced workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as possible.
For more information, visit http://www.findgreatlawyers.com/tfcc-tears-illinois-work-injuries.htm