As with all suspicious wrist pain, a careful and accurate diagnosis is the highest priority. A triangular fibrocartilage disc can often be very similar to a sprain and therefore the real cause is not subject to further investigation. Patients commonly report pain and loss of strength during rotational movement in the ulnar side of the wrist. During examination, patients have a positive ulnar grind and Fovea sign clinical test. The patient experiences a trapped nerve sensation in the ulnar region of the wrist. Conventional 2-plane x-ray imaging and a stressed joint x-ray (ball-catcher view) helps rule out other types of injuries. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides additional confirmation of the diagnoses while often identifying existing lesions.

In rare cases, a fall onto the wrist with a distal radius fracture can lead to a tear of the stabilising TFCC ligaments or disc. A congenital shortening of the radius compared to the ulna or an ulna-plus variant following shortening as a result of a healed distal radius fracture are further possible causes of wrist pain. Alongside disc repair, an ulnar shortening osteotomy can also be considered for pressure relief.