The carpal detachment injury of the triangular fibrocartilage complex.

Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injuries were suspected clinically in 22 wrists of 21 patients, but arthrography and MRI assessments of this structure were normal. As conservative therapy for 2 months did not improve their symptoms, wrist arthroscopy was then performed. Although no abnormalities of the TFCC and ligaments were observed, meniscus homologue-like tissue which arose from TFCC was riding on the articular surface of the triquetrum. After resection of this soft tissue with a shaver and a punch, the symptoms disappeared in all cases. The arthroscopic findings suggested that a portion of TFCC that was originally attached to the ulnar side of the triquetrum had become detached. Copyright 2002 The British Society for Surgery of the Hand.