Clinical outcomes of arthroscopic treatment for triangular fibrocartilage complex lesions in adolescent elite athletes

Key Points

1. Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) arthroscopic peripheral repair provides a safe, effective, and minimally invasive alternative to open repair in adolescent athletes.

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BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

The TFCC (triangular fibrocartilage complex) plays a crucial role in wrist stability, particularly in the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ). It acts as a shock absorber and stabilizer, transmitting axial forces across the wrist and allowing smooth forearm rotation (1). People with TFCC injuries commonly report pain on the ulnar side of the wrist, often worsened by gripping, lifting, or rotational movements (1,2).

Racquet sports like tennis and padel, golf, hockey, basketball, and combat sports cause significant stress on the wrist, increasing the risk of TFCC damage (3). As sport participation has increased in the paediatric and adolescent population, the incidence of TFCC injuries has concurrently increased in this age group (4).

The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic outcomes of arthroscopic management of TFCC peripheral injuries in elite adolescent athletes.

People with TFCC injuries commonly report pain on the ulnar side of the wrist, often worsened by gripping, lifting, or rotational movements.

Since arthroscopic procedures typically lead to less postoperative pain and swelling, rehabilitation can begin earlier and progress more aggressively, potentially facilitating a safer and faster return to pre-injury levels of performance.

METHODS

• This study was retrospectively conducted from 2018 to 2025, with a total of 24 adolescent elite athletes (age: 15.5 ± 1.3 years, M:F = 9:15) engaged in the following sports; two boxing, one cycling, one climbing, one gymnastics, one judo,

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