Clin Orthop Surg.  2012 Dec;4(4):325-328. 10.4055/cios.2012.4.4.325.

Delayed Rupture of Flexor Pollicis Longus after Volar Plating for a Distal Radius Fracture

• Cho CH
• Lee KJ
• Song KS
• Bae KC

• KMID: 1719302
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/cios.2012.4.4.325

Abstract

Although extensor tendon rupture often occurs after volar plating for a distal radius fracture, a flexor tendon rupture is extremely rare. Most reported instances of flexor tendon ruptures after volar plating have involved improper placement of the plate, increased prominence of the distal edge of the plate because of collapse of the fracture site, use of custom-made plates, current steroid use by the patient, or a history of tendon injury. We report a case of delayed rupture of the flexor pollicis longus tendon 40 months after volar plating with a 3.5-mm T-locking compression plate for which the distal edge was located at the transverse ridge level of the distal radius. If symptoms such as tendon irritation occur in this situation, surgeons should consider removing the plate as soon as possible after bony union is achieved.

Keyword

Flexor pollicis longus; Distal radius fracture; Volar plating; Delayed rupture

MeSH Terms

*Bone Plates
Female
Fracture Fixation, Internal/*methods
Humans
Middle Aged
Radius Fractures/*complications/pathology/*surgery
Rupture
Tendon Injuries/*etiology/*surgery
Thumb/physiopathology