title: The intercalated tendon graft for treatment of extensor pollicis longus tendon rupture.
abstract: Twenty-one patients with ruptures of the extensor pollicis longus tendon were treated with a subcutaneously placed free tendon graft. The repair was performed a mean of 6 weeks after rupture, range from 1 to 21 weeks. Data was collected on 19 of these patients, with a mean follow-up of 30 months, range from 6 to 124 months. Near uniform satisfaction was reported. The mean loss of interphalangeal joint extension and flexion and combined metacarpophalangeal-interphalangeal joint motion was 6 degrees, 3 degrees, and 10 degrees, respectively. The mean loss of pinch strength was 7%. All patients were able to elevate their thumbs to the level of the palm. This is a simple, reliable, and effective procedure that avoids the use of an adjacent motor-tendon unit. Muscle contracture appears reversible and this procedure may be used successfully even when treatment has been delayed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Mich.
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Magnell
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Pochron
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Condit
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D012421:Rupture; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013710:Tendons / Q000637:transplantation*; D013933:Thumb / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery