Rupture of the Extensor Pollicis Longus Tendon after Colles' Fracture

Journal of the Korean Society for Surgery of the Hand 1998;3(2):197-203.
Published online January 1, 1998.

Poong Taek Kim,Ik Dong Kim,Chan Sig Park,Chang Wug Oh

요골 원위단 골절후의 장무지 신전건의 파열

김풍택,김익동,박찬식,오창욱

Abstract

With fracture of the distal end of the radius, the possibility of injury to the extensor pollicis longus tendon is likely. A number of theories have been presented to explain the cause of the tendon rupture. This paper records a study of fifteen patients with spontaneous rupture of the extensor pollicis longus tendon after distal radius fracture from June 1983 to July 1997 and reports anatomical variation of the Lister`s tubercle carried out on cadavers. A brief survey of the literature on the subject is also included. As a result, We believe that a combination of a mechanical cause with possible secondary ischemic change is the cause of the tendon rupture.