title: Spontaneous rupture of the extensor pollicis longus tendon in a tailor.
abstract: A spontaneous rupture of the extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendon is associated with rheumatoid arthritis, fractures of the wrist, systemic or local steroids and repetitive, and excessive abnormal motion of the wrist joint. The authors encountered a case of a spontaneous rupture of the EPL tendon. The patient had no predisposing factors including trauma or steroid injection. Although the patient had a positive rheumatoid factor, he did not demonstrate other clinical or radiological findings of rheumatoid arthritis. During surgery, the EPL tendon was found to be ruptured at the extensor retinaculum (third compartment). Reconstruction of the extensor tendon using the palmaris longus tendon was performed. At the 18-month follow-up, the patient showed satisfactory extension of the thumb and 40° extension and flexion at the wrist.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Bundang Jesaeng General Hospital, Daejin Medical Center, Seongnam, Korea.
authors.forename: Jun Cheol
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Woo Sung
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hwa Yeop
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Na
authors.forename: Young Sang
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Woo Suk
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Dae Hyeon
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Tae Hoon
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D012421:Rupture / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*