Presentation
Post-traumatic distal radius fracture and thumb weakness. Referred for extensor pollicis longus tendon evaluation.
Patient Data
There is a complete tear of the extensor pollcis longus tendon. The distance between two retracted edges is about 30 mm. The proximal end is near the distal radius fracture site and the distal end near the distal end of the radius. The extensor pollicis brevis is intact.
Surgical exploration revealed a complete tear of the extensor pollicis longus tendon. Palmaris longus graft was used for tendon repair.
Case Discussion
The patient had post-traumatic distal radius fracture a few months before the presentation. The fracture was initially treated conservatively and later plating was done. The thumb movements were weak since the trauma. Ultrasound showed a complete tear of the extensor pollicis longus tendon which was repaired using palmaris longus as a donor tendon.
Intraoperative photos courtesy: treating surgeon Dr. Nisarg A. Patel