Weight Bearing Test is the Best way to know to test if you have a TFCC tear.
What is the Weight Bearing test and why is it important? The weight bearing test is a measure of how much weight you are able to pass through your wrist and hand. Once you have the WristWidget® fitted properly, you can start by testing your own weight bearing tolerance. All you need is a non-digital analog scale. Digital scales are NOT effective.
The human wrist is capable of tolerating 60-120 lbs. of weight on each wrist. If your injury is to the TFCC and you're experiencing ulnar-sided wrist pain, you will notice that your uninjured wrist is normal and your injured wrist hurts when you push down on the scale. The test is not intended to hurt you. It is to measure where you are starting, where you need to go (the uninjured wrist) and the effects of the WristWidget®.
The WristWidget® should only be worn when you see a change of weight bearing tolerance when you put it on. When pushing on the scale, remember NO Pain. You are simply checking where you are starting. This is oftentimes more reliable than an MRI and much, much less expensive.
This weight bearing test is essential to determine if you will benefit from the WristWidget.
Use a NON-digital scale
Test on the unaffected wrist first
Test the affected wrist -slowly
Stop at the edge of pain- any pain!
Take 2 pieces of non-elastic tape- squeeze wrist together without compression on the ulnar head.
RETEST with the tape on
There should be an immediate change in weight bearing tolerance.
How do I know if my wrist is healing? Each week, measure your weight bearing tolerance while wearing the WristWidget. This should be done to the edge before pain but no further. Record your measurements to keep track of your progress as your wrist heals. Your goal is 100% return of weight bearing tolerance.
How long do I have to wear the WristWidget? If you are normally able to push 100 lbs. and start at 65 lbs, you are functional yet still have a 35% loss. So when it starts feeling great, resist the urge to remove it and get it to 100%.
Healing time varies depending on the severity of the injury. Most require 4-8 weeks of use, but up to 12 weeks is possible if you have a complete tear.