Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex or Ulnar Nerve Damage?

Troy Kerr · 02-23-2011, 06:00 AM

Like the title says. I was doing some handstand practice last night on parallettes last night when I got a sharp pain on the medial side of my hand. This pain was diagonal from my thumb, and went right up to my pinky and third finger. The sports med doctor at my gym said it could either be damage to the Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex ( TFCC) or Ulnar Nerve. I immediately started treating it with ice. Today when I woke up I had a shooting pain from my neck, through my arm to my wrist.
This same pain happened over the summer when I was working on the planche on the parallettes. After a closer look at my routine, I had been using harder back- lever variations that could of caused overuse in my wrist.
Anyways, common information on the internet suggest rest, anti-inflammatory, and ice. Just wondering if anyone has had experience with this and has advice for handling this?

Steven Low · 02-23-2011, 06:11 AM

TFCC inflammation is most likely cause of ulnar sided pain overuse in people using bodyweight exercise

Yours however does sound more like you compressed at least part of your ulnar nerve and it started acting up more when you woke up

Do some ulnar nerve glides and see if that helps.... also soft tissue work your neck down to where its injured (although not the injured area at this point) and see if that helps

Garrett Smith · 02-23-2011, 07:25 AM

I'd get your neck/scalenes/first rib checked out, and watch your neck position when you are training, many people really overextend their neck in gymnastics training.

Troy Kerr · 02-23-2011, 04:27 PM

I have been doing the nerve glides today, have not seen a noticeable difference. My hand is almost impossible to move into a position that would mimic a handstand. Garrett, what is the purpose of getting those looked at?

Steven Low · 02-23-2011, 08:13 PM

because overextension of the neck can cause tension issues sometimes nerve impingement

You been RICEing and massaging? I'd go with that and see if it clears up if the nerve glides aren't working then

May not be a bad idea to make an appointment with a PT

Grissim Connery · 02-23-2011, 08:52 PM

http://www.performancemenu.com/forum...ead.php?t=6033
http://www.performancemenu.com/forum...ead.php?t=5914
http://www.performancemenu.com/forum...ead.php?t=5868

weren't these 3 different threads about how you needed to rest? you should probably finally take that break!

Garrett Smith · 02-24-2011, 04:46 AM

Pain going from your neck to your wrist.

Just because the pain is in your wrist, doesn't mean that's where the problem is (necessarily).

Many carpal tunnel problems are actually a c-spine or 1st rib or scalene issue. Something to consider, particularly if there was no "injury" of note to your wrist.

Troy Kerr · 02-24-2011, 10:05 AM

My right rib is out of place, possibly pinching my ulnar nerve. I also received a shot in my wrist that seems to be helping with the pain a bit. My dr. said that my chronic hip issue could possibly causing some spinal issue that went up and effected my rib.
I have been taking some time off the last few weeks. Ring dips, ring rows, lots of hip mobility. I am feeling stronger week to week and decided to try some handstand work. Big mistake.