Delayed rupture of the extensor pollicis longus tendon: a retrospective study

Abstract

Eight patients with delayed rupture of the extensor pollicis longus tendon are presented. Six had suffered from a fracture of the wrist without dislocation. This is in our opinion a predisposing factor in the etiology of delayed tendon rupture. Our treatment of choice is transfer of the extensor indicis proprius tendon. In all patients satisfactory thumb function was restored.

Measurement of gliding resistance of the extensor pollicis longus and extensor digitorum communis II tendons within the extensor retinaculum

“…10 Spontaneous ruptures of the EPL tendon after fracture of the distal radius were described subsequently. [2][3][4] Strandell 17 reviewed 210 posttraumatic tendon ruptures and reported that in almost three quarters of the cases the rupture followed fractures without significant displacement.…”

“…1 In particular, there are many reports of spontaneous ruptures of the EPL tendon after minimally displaced fracture of the distal radius. [2][3][4] Some investigators have stated that the etiology of the rupture is related to its blood supply because the EPL tendon at Lister's tubercle has poor vascularity. [5][6][7] Others have postulated that mechanical factors cause rupture of the EPL tendon because the extensor retinaculum holds the tendon tight against the fracture callus in the floor of the tunnel resulting in an attrition rupture.…”

Comparison of 4 Fluoroscopic Views for Dorsal Cortex Screw Penetration After Volar Plating of the Distal Radius

“…[3][4][5][6][7] Although the exact etiology of this complication is not known, screw prominence is one of the factors shown to result in attritional tendon ruptures in various reports. To avoid screw prominence, lateral, pronation, and supination views of the wrist have traditionally been used.…”

Spontaneous rupture of the extensor pollicis longus tendon in a professional skier

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IntroductionSpontaneous rupture of the extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendon has been described in association with inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis [11,16], fracture of the distal radius [4,8,12], and chronic tenosynovitis caused by repetitive activity [1]. However, it has rarely been reported as a result of participation in sports activity [2,10,18].

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