Acute bilateral extensor pollicis longus tendon rupture following bilateral displaced distal radius fracture: A case report

Abstract

Extensor pollicis longus tendon ruptures are rarely reported after traumatic events, especially after distal radius fractures. Its classical presentation is a late-onset and unilateral rupture after a non-displaced distal radius fracture. In this case report, we present the treatment of a patient with acute bilateral extensor pollicis longus tendon ruptures after bilateral displaced distal radius fractures. The patient was treated with bilateral open reduction and volar plate fixation via a volar Henry approach for distal radius fractures and bilateral exten-sor indicis proprius tendon transfer for extensor pollicis longus tendon ruptures. We achieved satisfactory results, and no complications were reported with these treatment approaches. However, this case report demonstrates that extensor pollicis longus tendon rupture may occur at the time of fracture; thus, clinicians should be aware of this issue.