Delayed rupture of the thumb extensor tendon. A 5-year study of 18 consecutive cases.
18 consecutive cases of delayed rupture of the extensor pollicis longus tendon were recorded during 5 years; 4 were spontaneous, and 14 after distal radius fracture, most of which were undisplaced or only slightly displaced. 15 cases were operated upon with tendon transfers: 13 had extensor indicis proprius transfer, 1 transfer of the extensor carpi radialis longus, and 1 reoperated with the extensor communis to the little finger as a motor unit. Subjectively, nearly complete satisfaction was reported; all patients were able to elevate the thumb to the level of the palm and full independent index finger movements were noted. In this 5-year-period 4,400 patients with distal radius fractures were treated, giving an incidence of delayed tendon rupture after distal radius fracture of 0.3 percent.
Hove
L M
LM
Bergen Accident and Emergency Department, Haukeland University Hospital, Norway.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000150:complications; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012421:Rupture; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013709:Tendon Transfer; D013933:Thumb / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors