J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2015 Feb;50(1):60-65. 10.4055/jkoa.2015.50.1.60.

Acute Rupture of Flexor Tendons as a Complication of Distal Radius Fracture

• Heo YM
• Kim SB
• Kim KK
• Kim DH
• Park WK

• KMID: 2106740
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.2015.50.1.60

Abstract

Acute rupture of flexor tendons following distal radius fracture is very rare. We experienced four cases of acute rupture of flexor tendons that were treated surgically. Injured tendons included flexor pollicis longus, flexor carpi radialis, palmaris longus and third flexor digitorum profundus. A severely displaced fracture with a volar spike of the distal radius was detected on plain radiographs in all cases. Ruptures of flexor pollicis longus and third flexor digitorum profundus were diagnosed on preoperative examination but ruptures of other tendons were identified during the operation. Repairs of fractures and ruptured tendons were performed simultaneously and good functional outcomes were achieved.

Keyword

distal radius; flexor tendon; fracture; acute rupture

MeSH Terms

Radius
Radius Fractures*
Rupture*
Tendons*

Figure

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  Figure 1 (A, B) Plain radiographs of the left wrist showing an intra-articular distal radius fracture with an ulnar styloid fracture. (C, D) Intraoperative photographs show the rupture of the flexor pollicis longus tendon and the repair of the injured tendon using cruciate suture and epitendinous suture. (E, F) The photograph shows a normal range of motion of the interphalangeal joint of the left thumb at six months after surgery.

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  Figure 2 (A, B) Plain radiographs showing a distal radius fracture with severe dorsal displacement and a sharp anterior bony spike. (C) Rupture of the flexor carpi radialis tendon was confirmed intraoperatively.

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  Figure 3 (A, B) Plain radiographs showing a styloid fracture of the distal radius with dorsal displacement and a sharp anterior bony spike. (C) Intraoperative photograph shows the injury of the palmaris longus tendon through the volar laceration.

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  Figure 4 (A) Antero-posterior radiograph showing a comminuted intra-articular distal radius fracture with a distal ulnar fracture. (B) Lateral radiograph showing a dorsal displacement of the distal fragment and a sharp anterior bony spike of the proximal part.

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