TFCC Treatment Protocols
WristWidget® TFCC Protocol
Complete TFCC Recovery Protocol
Phase-by-phase treatment plans tailored to your injury severity. Follow your specific protocol based on your Weight Bearing Test results.
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| Weight Bearing without WristWidget® |
<45lbs <20kg |
45-65lbs 20-29kg |
>65lbs >29kg |
| Recovery | ~3 months | ~1-3 months | ~1-2 months |
| Wearing schedule | 24/7 | 24/7 | Daytime |
| Night Splint | Yes | Yes | No |
| Test every 7 days | Yes | Yes | Yes |
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| Spine | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Subscapularis | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Biceps | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pronator | Yes | Yes | Yes |
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| Wrist | No | No | Yes |
| Biceps | No | No | No |
| Triceps | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rhomboid | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Forearm planks | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pushups | No | No | No |
| Squats | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sports | No | No | No |
| Lifting | <1lb <.5kg |
<2lb <1kg |
<5lb <2.5kg |
**Night splint with a standard over the counter brace that doesn’t push down on the ulna head. Wear this over the WristWidget® as tolerated**
How to Use This Protocol
This comprehensive TFCC recovery protocol is divided into three phases based on your Weight Bearing Test results. Each phase includes specific action plans and recovery goals.
First, perform the Weight Bearing Test to determine your injury severity:
- Severe Injury: 0-45 lbs (0-20 kg) weight bearing capacity
- Moderate Injury: 45-65 lbs (20-29 kg) weight bearing capacity
- Mild Injury: 65+ lbs (29+ kg) weight bearing capacity
Then follow the corresponding protocol below. Your goal is to improve your weight bearing capacity weekly until both wrists match (pain-free, no clicking).
Phase 1: Severe TFCC Tear (0-45 lbs)
Test results in this range indicate a severe injury
Expected recovery time: ~3 months
TFCC tears typically don't cause loss of motion or swelling. However, a fracture or other injury can accompany a TFCC tear if swelling is present.
Important: If your wrist is fractured, it must be cast so the bones can heal properly first. The following treatment plan is for wrists WITHOUT a cast, or after the cast has been removed.
Initial Protection Options
Purchase a protective brace to prevent motion until you know what type of injury you have. Make sure it doesn't compress or squeeze the ulnar head (wrist bone).
If you can get a referral for a Muenster Splint, this would help in your recovery. It eliminates motion of the elbow and rotation of the wrist.
ACTION PLAN
- Order your WristWidget® – Wear it 24/7
- Protect your wrist – No lifting anything over ONE POUND (0.5 kg)
- Wear the stiff wrist brace every night until your weight bearing tolerance is 45 lbs (20 kg)
- Conduct Weight Bearing Test every 7 days (wear WristWidget® on injured wrist)
GOAL
Test weight bearing weekly until your injured wrist results (while wearing the WristWidget®) = 45 lbs (20 kg). Continue until weight bearing is normal and pain free (same as uninjured wrist).
Phase 2: Moderate TFCC Tear (45-65 lbs)
Test results in this range indicate a moderate injury
Expected recovery time: ~1-3 months
YAY! 45 lbs is considered a "functional" wrist. Light daily activities like dishes or dressing should not hurt. This does not include carrying children, pets, or heavy groceries.
ACTION PLAN
- Order your WristWidget® if you haven't already
- Protect your wrist – No sports or heavy lifting
- Wear the WristWidget® 24/7 (no bulky night splint needed)
- Conduct Weight Bearing Test with WristWidget® every 7 days
- Protect your wrist. Let it heal. Don't aggravate it.
GOAL
Test weight bearing weekly until your injured wrist (with WristWidget®) matches your uninjured wrist.
Phase 3: Mild TFCC Tear (65+ lbs)
Test results in this range indicate a mild injury
Expected recovery time: ~1-2 months
Congratulations! Your wrist is relatively stable, but you are **not** fully healed yet. Returning to full activity too soon can cause a setback.
Don't let this give you a false sense of security – focus on correcting muscle imbalances.
Healing Focus
Wear the WristWidget® until weight bearing is normal (equal to uninjured wrist) **and** there is no clicking. You may remove it at night once stable.
ACTION PLAN
- Begin stretching daily of torso, shoulder, neck, elbow, and wrist.
Videos: Stretch Series | Strength Series - Conduct Weight Bearing Test every 7 days
- Avoid bicep curls, push-ups, pull-ups, supinated pull-downs, and chest strengthening
- Strengthen instead: triceps, rhomboids, lats, and core (squats and elbow planks)
GOAL
Once injured wrist (with WristWidget®) matches uninjured, test without brace until both sides are equal and pain-free.
Fully healed when: Full weight bearing, no pain with load, and you haven't thought about your wrist for 2 weeks.
Congratulations! You have successfully healed your TFCC!
Supportive Care for All Phases
Diet & Exercise
Follow a clean diet: low sugar, low gluten, no processed foods, plenty of dark leafy vegetables, and lean protein. Limit protein to no more than 30% of daily macros (or ~0.5 g per pound of body weight). Many patients link this injury to high-protein diets.
Do 20 minutes of cardio daily to boost circulation and healing.
Eastern Medicine & Complementary Support
TFCC injuries often correlate with gut/digestive health.
- Acupuncture 2–3 times per week is helpful
- Many patients report improvement with pure turmeric (golden paste)
- Consider deep tissue massage for biceps, ECU, pectoralis, and subscapularis
Community Support
Join the TFCC and Ulnar-Sided Wrist Pain Facebook group for shared experiences.
For personalized advice from Wendy, complete this form: https://bit.ly/ww-injury