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Wrist / hand
Wrist osteoarthritis and TFCC-type pain affect the joint surfaces and the ulnar-sided stabilizer complex of the wrist. People notice aching, grinding, or pain with rotation and weight bearing through the hand.
Deep wrist ache with push-ups, pressing up from a chair, or turning a jar lid is common.
Ulnar-sided TFCC-type pain often sits near the pinky side of the wrist and flares with rotation or ulnar deviation.
Stiffness, swelling, and reduced confidence with impact or yoga-style loading can appear over time.
Prior fracture, repetitive load, and inflammatory arthritis can accelerate wrist OA.
The TFCC stabilizes the ulnar side of the wrist; tears or degeneration cause ulnar-sided pain with rotation and load.
Tendon problems on the radial side (including De Quervain's) are a different generator we separate on exam.
We localize radial vs ulnar pain, test load-bearing and rotation, and review prior injury history.
X-rays assess joint-space loss. MRI is useful when TFCC detail would change the plan.
Diagnostic injection can help confirm an intra-articular source in mixed wrist pain.
Load modification, bracing for selected tasks, and therapy to protect a usable motion arc come first.
Image-guided joint injections may help selected flares. PRP can be discussed case by case for joint disease.
Mechanical catching, instability, or failed nonoperative care may lead to hand-surgery consultation.
It is a cartilage and ligament complex on the ulnar side of the wrist that helps stabilize rotation between the forearm bones and the hand.
Age matters, but prior breaks and repetitive load are frequent contributors.
Often with temporary offloading of end-range wrist extension while symptoms settle, then a graded return.
They may calm pain for some people. They do not automatically heal every structural tear.
Dr. Adam Nessim, interventional spine physician, Westport Longevity, Pain & Performance.
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