title: A Non-surgical Intervention for Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Tears.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The current literature contains no reports of treatment options other than surgery following failed conservative management of a triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) tear. The purpose of this study is to describe the use of a novel brace as a non-surgical intervention for TFCC tears.
  
  
  METHODS
  This paper is a case study of a subject with a magnetic resonance imaging-confirmed TFCC tear. As an alternative to surgery, he consented to wear a novel brace for 12 weeks after conservative management of his injury had failed. His recovery from injury was monitored with a weight-bearing tolerance test and the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) outcome measure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An increase in weight-bearing tolerance and upper extremity use was evident immediately after donning the brace. After 12 weeks, the subject demonstrated a return to normal weight-bearing tolerance and normal DASH outcome measure scores. These improvements were still evident at a 1-year follow-up appointment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Utilizing this novel brace resulted in functional status improvement in a subject with a TFCC tear as demonstrated by significant changes in his DASH outcome measure scores. This case study demonstrates the first non-surgical alternative treatment for a TFCC tear after conservative management has failed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN, 37403, USA.|Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation, 1 Siskin Plaza, Chattanooga, TN, 37403, USA.
authors.forename: Susan J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Barlow
mesh_terms: D001915:Braces; D000072700:Conservative Treatment / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D051478:Triangular Fibrocartilage / Q000293:injuries*; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: braces; musculoskeletal pain; physical therapy modalities; wrist injuries