eMedicine Specialties > Orthopedic Surgery > Hand & Upper Extremity

Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Injuries: Multimedia

Author: James R Verheyden, MD, Consulting Surgeon, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Orthopedic and Neurosurgical Center of the Cascades
Coauthor(s): Andrew K Palmer, MD, Chair, Professor, Department of Orthopedics, State University of New York-Upstate Medical University
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jun 23, 2009

Multimedia

The triangular fibrocartilage complex suspends th...
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Media file 1: The triangular fibrocartilage complex suspends the distal radius and ulnar carpus from the distal ulna. T=triquetrum; L=lunate; S=scaphoid. (Reprinted with permission from Palmer AK and Werner FW: The Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex of the Wrist - Anatomy and Function. J Hand Surg; 1981; 6:153)
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The triangular fibrocartilage complex suspends th...

The triangular fibrocartilage complex suspends the distal radius and ulnar carpus from the distal ulna. T=triquetrum; L=lunate; S=scaphoid. (Reprinted with permission from Palmer AK and Werner FW: The Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex of the Wrist - Anatomy and Function. J Hand Surg; 1981; 6:153)

The triangular fibrocartilage complex provides a ...
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Media file 2: The triangular fibrocartilage complex provides a continuous gliding surface across the entire distal face of the radius and ulna to allow for flexion-extension and translational movements.
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The triangular fibrocartilage complex provides a ...

The triangular fibrocartilage complex provides a continuous gliding surface across the entire distal face of the radius and ulna to allow for flexion-extension and translational movements.

Distally, the triangular fibrocartilage complex i...
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Media file 3: Distally, the triangular fibrocartilage complex inserts into the lunate and triquetrum via the ulnolunate and ulnotriquetral ligaments. The triangular fibrocartilage complex solidly connects the ulnar axis to the volar carpus. The unlabeled arrow points to the prestyloid recess. (Reprinted with permission from Palmer AK and Werner FW: The Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex of the Wrist - Anatomy and Function. J Hand Surg; 1981; 6:153)
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Distally, the triangular fibrocartilage complex i...

Distally, the triangular fibrocartilage complex inserts into the lunate and triquetrum via the ulnolunate and ulnotriquetral ligaments. The triangular fibrocartilage complex solidly connects the ulnar axis to the volar carpus. The unlabeled arrow points to the prestyloid recess. (Reprinted with permission from Palmer AK and Werner FW: The Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex of the Wrist - Anatomy and Function. J Hand Surg; 1981; 6:153)

Relation of the triangular fibrocartilage complex...
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Media file 4: Relation of the triangular fibrocartilage complex to the distal radius and ulnar styloid.
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Relation of the triangular fibrocartilage complex...

Relation of the triangular fibrocartilage complex to the distal radius and ulnar styloid.

The ulnocarpal portion of the triangular fibrocar...
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Media file 5: The ulnocarpal portion of the triangular fibrocartilage complex is composed of the discus articularis, the ulnolunate (ULL), and the ulnotriquetral (UTL) ligaments. Distally, the triangular fibrocartilage complex inserts into the lunate via the ulnolunate ligament and into the triquetrum via the ulnotriquetral ligament.
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The ulnocarpal portion of the triangular fibrocar...

The ulnocarpal portion of the triangular fibrocartilage complex is composed of the discus articularis, the ulnolunate (ULL), and the ulnotriquetral (UTL) ligaments. Distally, the triangular fibrocartilage complex inserts into the lunate via the ulnolunate ligament and into the triquetrum via the ulnotriquetral ligament.

Sigmoid notch of the distal radius with distinct ...
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Media file 6: Sigmoid notch of the distal radius with distinct dorsal, palmar, and distal margins and an indistinct proximal margin; the triangular fibrocartilage complex arises from the ulnar margin of the lunate fossa of the radius. (Reprinted with permission from Fernandez D and Palmer AK. Fractures of the Distal Radius. In: Green's Operative Hand Surgery. Vol 1. 1999)
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Sigmoid notch of the distal radius with distinct ...

Sigmoid notch of the distal radius with distinct dorsal, palmar, and distal margins and an indistinct proximal margin; the triangular fibrocartilage complex arises from the ulnar margin of the lunate fossa of the radius. (Reprinted with permission from Fernandez D and Palmer AK. Fractures of the Distal Radius. In: Green's Operative Hand Surgery. Vol 1. 1999)

The seat of the ulnar head articulates with the s...
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Media file 7: The seat of the ulnar head articulates with the sigmoid notch of the distal radius. Radially, the triangular fibrocartilage complex arises from the ulnar margin of the lunate fossa of the radius. Ulnarly, the triangular fibrocartilage complex inserts into the base of the ulnar styloid. (Reprinted with permission from Fernandez D and Palmer AK. Fractures of the Distal Radius. In: Green's Operative Hand Surgery. Vol 1. 1999)
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The seat of the ulnar head articulates with the s...

The seat of the ulnar head articulates with the sigmoid notch of the distal radius. Radially, the triangular fibrocartilage complex arises from the ulnar margin of the lunate fossa of the radius. Ulnarly, the triangular fibrocartilage complex inserts into the base of the ulnar styloid. (Reprinted with permission from Fernandez D and Palmer AK. Fractures of the Distal Radius. In: Green's Operative Hand Surgery. Vol 1. 1999)

A Palmer class 1A tear of the triangular fibrocar...
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Media file 8: A Palmer class 1A tear of the triangular fibrocartilage complex that is being probed.
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A Palmer class 1A tear of the triangular fibrocar...

A Palmer class 1A tear of the triangular fibrocartilage complex that is being probed.

A Palmer class 1A tear of the triangular fibrocar...
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Media file 9: A Palmer class 1A tear of the triangular fibrocartilage complex after debridement, being treated with an electrothermal wand.
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A Palmer class 1A tear of the triangular fibrocar...

A Palmer class 1A tear of the triangular fibrocartilage complex after debridement, being treated with an electrothermal wand.

Palmer class 1A tear of the triangular fibrocarti...
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Media file 10: Palmer class 1A tear of the triangular fibrocartilage complex after debridement with a shaver and thermal treatment.
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Palmer class 1A tear of the triangular fibrocarti...

Palmer class 1A tear of the triangular fibrocartilage complex after debridement with a shaver and thermal treatment.

A traumatic, ulnar side Palmer class 1B tear of t...
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Media file 11: A traumatic, ulnar side Palmer class 1B tear of the triangular fibrocartilage complex.
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A traumatic, ulnar side Palmer class 1B tear of t...

A traumatic, ulnar side Palmer class 1B tear of the triangular fibrocartilage complex.

Palmer class 1B tear of the triangular fibrocarti...
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Media file 12: Palmer class 1B tear of the triangular fibrocartilage complex treated with an outside-in technique using 2-0 polydioxanone sutures and a wire loop.
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Palmer class 1B tear of the triangular fibrocarti...

Palmer class 1B tear of the triangular fibrocartilage complex treated with an outside-in technique using 2-0 polydioxanone sutures and a wire loop.

Completion of an outside-in repair for a Palmer c...
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Media file 13: Completion of an outside-in repair for a Palmer class 1B tear of the triangular fibrocartilage complex.
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Completion of an outside-in repair for a Palmer c...

Completion of an outside-in repair for a Palmer class 1B tear of the triangular fibrocartilage complex.

More on Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Injuries

Overview: Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Injuries
Workup: Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Injuries
Treatment: Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Injuries
Follow-up: Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Injuries
Multimedia: Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Injuries
References
Further Reading
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References

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Further Reading

Related eMedicine topics
Wrist Arthroscopy

Carpal Ligament Instability: eMedicine - Orthopedic Surgery

Ulnar-Sided Wrist Pain: eMedicine - Orthopedic Surgery

Hand, Fractures and Dislocations: Wrist: eMedicine - Plastic Surgery

Fractures, Wrist: eMedicine - Emergency Medicine

Clinical guidelines
Forearm, wrist, & hand (acute & chronic), not including carpal tunnel syndrome. Work Loss Data Institute - Public For Profit Organization.  2004 (revised 2008 May 29).  128 pages.  NGC:006557

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® chronic wrist pain. American College of Radiology - Medical Specialty Society.  1998 (revised 2005).  7 pages.  NGC:004619

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Keywords

triangular fibrocartilage, triangular fibrocartilage complex, triangular fibrocartilage complex injury, triangular fibrocartilage injuries, TFCC, TFC, carpal articular disk, discus articularis, triangular ligament, triangular cartilage, triangular disk, meniscus

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

James R Verheyden, MD, Consulting Surgeon, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Orthopedic and Neurosurgical Center of the Cascades
James R Verheyden, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Medical Association, and American Society for Surgery of the Hand
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Andrew K Palmer, MD, Chair, Professor, Department of Orthopedics, State University of New York-Upstate Medical University
Andrew K Palmer, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Osteopathic College of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Disclosure: Del Palma Orthopedics Salary Board membership

Medical Editor

Joseph E Sheppard, MD, Associate Professor of Clinical Orthopedic Surgery, Chief of Hand and Upper Extremity Service, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, University Physicians Healthcare
Joseph E Sheppard, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Clinical Orthopaedic Society, and Western Orthopaedic Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Managing Editor

N Ake Nystrom, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Plastic Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Dinesh Patel, MD, FACS, Associate Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School; Chief of Arthroscopic Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital
Dinesh Patel, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, American College of International Physicians, and American College of Surgeons
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Harris Gellman, MD, Consulting Surgeon, Broward Hand Center; Voluntary Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Plastic Surgery, Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine
Harris Gellman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, and Arkansas Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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