TFCC Tear Surgery with Ulnar Shortening

[jpringle]

I am having my TFCC tear (Ulna will be shortened also) arthroscopically repaired on the 23rd and have some questions for those who have gone through the surgery. I am wondering what the recovery was like? Were you in a cast? Did they need to place any drains? How long in Physical Therapy? Were you out of work?

In addition to repairing the tear they are doing a biopsy because on the MRI we found a suspicious lesion suggesting the possibility of Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis (PVNS). I have had this in my knee before but traditionally it does not effect more than one joint so they are not sure what it is.

So most of my questions were pertaining to the biopsy and I could not get many of my other questions answered. I am hoping someone who has gone through this can help!  Thanks in advance!!!

Jen

[camarogirl2011]

I, too had Ulna Shortened and TFCC Repair on August 16th 2011.......OMG< BEWARE....The Pain is Crazy.  I was in  big bulky splint and bandage for the first 10 days, then was put in a full arm cast for 4 weeks.  I just had my cast and pins removed 2 days ago. I am now in a full arm splint that I can take off.   I was starting to feel ok in the cast, but now that my arm is able to move more freely, It hurts really really bad.  I start PT tomorrow.  ;-(
I hope the rest of you are well beyound all this pain by now.

[Trish007ie]

Hello Ed59, I think u r asking me how I am doing, I changed my user name, havent been on for a while.
You asked how I was, not good. I had the TFCC tear and ulna shorteing, with the plate put in my arm.
Surgery was in Jan 2011, I am still in constant pain, physical therapy and have a tens unit. The tens unit actually helps the pain but does not take the pain away. My Dr says it can take a year or longer to heal.
My arm and wrist are stiff like a board every morning when I get up.
I have pain and swelling all the time, and my hand does not work well, I drop things all the time. I have also came to realize that ortho docs have no idea about the pain for this procedure. They want u off of pain meds to soon, and my pain as never been under control. I hope this helps anyone out there going through the same thing. BTW, I was terminated from my job, so now I have no disability insurance or check. It goes on and on.. I agree with the other person who posted unless you deal with disability and chronic pain, you have no idea what it is like.

[Ed59]

Trishh123, I had TFCC debridement and ulnar ligament repair 4 1/2 months ago and I'm still in a lot of pain. Actually it is worse. Rehab is very painful and leaves me sore for two days... Soreness is worse than the actual tear. Can I ask how you are doing in the recovery process? Thanks

[Kim04261957]

Broke right wrist Jan. 2009. Had 5 surgeries. Ulna shortening and Tfcc repair recently.  My fingers can't make a fist or hook fist, very limited on activities. Pain is intense and I don't sleep.  Doctor wants to do either a Proximal Row carpectomy or Wrist Arthroscopy which consists of a TFCC debridement (again) and Scaphounate Debridement & Pinning.  I understand I will be in a cast for 8 weeks.  Does anybody know about either or all of these.  Ready to be pain feel

[mareb]

I had a scope and debridement on r wrist last april--doc couldnt repair central tfcc tear, no pain relief,,,  in fact worse.  waiting for surgical date for ulna shortening.  the thought of it scares me but my wrists are of no use the way they are now.  if i had it to do over again i would still try the scope first.

[jswarts]

Hi-I am about to have TFCC surgery in 3 days.  My doc want to do the ulnar shortening and I am having serious doubts.  Does anyone know if the repair would be less painful and possibly successful if I do not have the ulnar surgery done but rather just scope and repair the ligament?