Idiopathic Rupture of the Extensor Pollicis Longus Tendon due to Carpometacarpal Joint Arthritis of the Thumb: A Case Report

Lee,  Sang Ki; Kim,  Su Min; Choy,  Won Sik

doi:2018.23.2.93

Arch Hand Microsurg > Volume 23(2); 2018 > Article

Case Report

Archives of Hand and Microsurgery 2018;23(2):93-98.
Published online June 1, 2018.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12790/ahm.2018.23.2.93

Idiopathic Rupture of the Extensor Pollicis Longus Tendon due to Carpometacarpal Joint Arthritis of the Thumb: A Case Report

Sang Ki Lee, Su Min Kim, Won Sik Choy

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea. sklee@eulji.ac.kr

Received: 6 April 2018 • Revised: 10 May 2018 • Accepted: 13 May 2018

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. Various causes of spontaneous rupture of the EPL tendon have been reported, but EPL rupture due to carpometacarpal (CMC) arthritis has not been reported. We had a case of an idiopathic rupture of the EPL tendon due to CMC joint arthritis of the thumb. The patient had no predisposing factors including trauma or steroid injection. The ruptured tendon was operated. During the surgery, both ends of the ruptured EPL tendon were found around the dorsum of the first CMC joint, and an osteophyte was observed in the dorsal aspect of the first CMC joint. The osteophyte was removed and an extensor indicis proprius tendon transfer was performed. Three monthss post-surgery, the patient was satisfied.

Key Words: Extensor pollicis longus, Spontaneous rupture, CMC arthritis, EIP tendon transfer