TFCC Debridement — TFCC Central Tear Surgical Debridement

UW Health · UW Health Orthopedic Surgery; UnityPoint Health - Meriter Rehabilitation

Weight-Bearing

NWB surgical UE

Key Restrictions

No lifting/pushing/pulling; wrist-hand orthosis in slight extension (comfort only); orthosis off for hygiene and light ADLs; begin weaning orthosis at week 4; avoid torque at wrist; no forearm rotation with resistance at 6 weeks; if debridement combined with ulnar shortening osteotomy, HIT, Sauve-Kapanji, or TFCC repair defer to more protective protocol

Timeline & Phases

Phase I (7-14 days): wrist-hand orthosis in slight extension, AROM shoulder/elbow/fingers/thumb, mid-range wrist flexion/extension and forearm rotation AROM, edema management; Phase II (3-4 weeks): A/AAROM wrist/forearm with gentle end-range stretch, heat prior to exercises, scar management, wean orthosis starting week 4 (off 1 hour 3-4x/day for light ADL); Phase III (5-6 weeks): week 5 — PROM end-range 30-sec holds, isometric strengthening in supination, grip with rubber band/putty in supination; week 6 — UE strengthening with hand-held weights (consider wrist widget/Modabber support), avoid torque at wrist (no forearm rotation with resistance)

Notes

UW Health / UnityPoint Health - Meriter Rehabilitation; OT-based (Occupational Therapist); central TFCC is avascular — debridement only, not repairable; isometric and grip strengthening performed in forearm supination (promotes distal/dorsal radius translation to minimize ulnocarpal abutment); orthosis may be discontinued if pain-free; visits: once per week up to 6 weeks; published May 24, 2022

Surgeon / Author

UW Health Orthopedic Surgery; UnityPoint Health - Meriter Rehabilitation

Published

2022-05-24