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

[blue82]

I had ulnar shortening with tfcc tear surgery on sept 13,2010. I didn't expect to be in so much pain. I have been in a cast for 4 weeks and any quick moves will leave you in tears. Its very painful to get dressed and you can forget about combing your hair. Sometimes I wake up screaming with excrutiating pain that last for a short peroid of time. I can not hold my hand to my side so I hold it up to my chest and this causes your arm to get stiff and that only adds to the pain. This is a works comp injury so of course my doctor is pushing my recovery a bit to fast. I'm due to start PT in a week and I'm so nervous because the pain is only going to get worse. Everyones body heal different so good luck!

[trishh123]

Wanted to check and see how you were doing now BLUE82. I also had ulnar shornteing and repair of TFCC on sept 7 2010. 3 weeks into therapy. Slowly getting motion back but painful.   How it going for you?

[mareb]

I'm glad I found this site.  I'm waiting for the ortho's office to call me Monday with a date to do an ulna shortening and debridement on my left wrist. Like some of you I have large central tears of the tfcc's, ulnar deviation, etc of both wrists.   Although I've undergone several different surguries including spinal surgery, this one scares me for some reason.  Reading your comments at least reaasures me that my fears are well founded and not me blowing things out of proportion. I had a arthroscope with debridement and cyst removal done on the right last April but the pain is worse than ever.  I have to fight with workmans comp to do the shortening on the right but figured I'd see how the left works out first.  
DD--if you're still around I just want to let you know that I understand how you feel.  I hope you live in an area where you can seek out other opinions from neurosurgeons and ortho hand/wrist specialists.  I too have been off work a long time and have been dealing with all the repercussions.  Keep fighting the good fight.  If you're depressed as I am seek out help.  Medication and counseling is starting to help me--mentally at least.  Unless someone has experienced chronic pain and disability they cant really understand. Take care all.....Mare

[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?

[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.

[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