Abstract
Extensor pollicis longus tendon ruptures occur in up to 9 % of distal radius fractures. Understanding the key etiologic factors can help both in preventing these ruptures and aiding in the prompt diagnosis of them. Treatment typically consists of a tendon transfer of the extensor indicis proprius as the tear is one of attrition, which makes a primary repair impractical.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsReferences
Cooney WP, Dobyns JH, Linscheid RL. Complications of Colles’ fractures. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1980;62(4):613–9. http://jbjs.org.beckerproxy.wustl.edu/content/62/4/613.abstract. Accessed 28 Jan 2015.
Roth KM, Blazar PE, Earp BE, Han R, Leung A. Incidence of extensor pollicis longus tendon rupture after nondisplaced distal radius fractures. J Hand Surg Am. 2012;37(5):942–7. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2012.02.006.
Arora R, Lutz M, Hennerbichler A, Krappinger D, Espen D, Gabl M. Complications following internal fixation of unstable distal radius fracture with a palmar locking-plate. J Orthop Trauma. 2007;21(5):316–22. doi:10.1097/BOT.0b013e318059b993.
Al-Rashid M, Theivendran K, Craigen MAC. Delayed ruptures of the extensor tendon secondary to the use of volar locking compression plates for distal radial fractures. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2006;88(12):1610–2. doi:10.1302/0301-620X.88B12.17696.
Engkvist O, Lundborg G. Rupture of the extensor pollicis longus tendon after fracture of the lower end of the radius—a clinical and microangiographic study. Hand. 1979;11(1):76–86. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/488782. Accessed 1 Feb. 2015.
Benson EC, DeCarvalho A, Mikola EA, Veitch JM, Moneim MS. Two potential causes of EPL rupture after distal radius volar plate fixation. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2006;451:218–22. doi:10.1097/01.blo.0000223998.02765.0d.
De Maeseneer M, Marcelis S, Osteaux M, Jager T, Machiels F, Van Roy P. Sonography of a rupture of the tendon of the extensor pollicis longus muscle: initial clinical experience and correlation with findings at cadaveric dissection. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2005;184(1):175–9. doi:10.2214/ajr.184.1.01840175.
Ozer K, Wolf JM, Watkins B, Hak DJ. Comparison of 4 fluoroscopic views for dorsal cortex screw penetration after volar plating of the distal radius. J Hand Surg Am. 2012;37(5):963–7. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2012.02.026.
Wall LB, Brodt MD, Silva MJ, Boyer MI, Calfee RP. The effects of screw length on stability of simulated osteoporotic distal radius fractures fixed with volar locking plates. J Hand Surg Am. 2012;37(3):446–53. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2011.12.013.
Lalonde DH. Wide-awake extensor indicis proprius to extensor pollicis longus tendon transfer. J Hand Surg Am. 2014;39(11):2297–9. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2014.08.024.
Germann G, Wagner H, Blome-Eberwein S, Karle B, Wittemann M. Early dynamic motion versus postoperative immobilization in patients with extensor indicis proprius transfer to restore thumb extension: a prospective randomized study. J Hand Surg Am. 2001;26(6):1111–5. doi:10.1053/jhsu.2001.28941.
Giessler GA, Przybilski M, Germann G, Sauerbier M, Megerle K. Early free active versus dynamic extension splinting after extensor indicis proprius tendon transfer to restore thumb extension: a prospective randomized study. J Hand Surg Am. 2008;33(6):864–8. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2008.01.028.
Moore JR, Weiland AJ, Valdata L. Independent index extension after extensor indicis proprius transfer. J Hand Surg Am. 1987;12(2):232–6. doi:10.1016/S0363-5023(87)80277-0.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Gray, B.L., Markiewitz, A.D. (2016). Complications of Distal Radius Fracture: EPL Rupture. In: Lawton, J. (eds) Distal Radius Fractures. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-27489-8_19
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-27489-8_19
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-27487-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-27489-8
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)