Delayed Rupture of All Digital Flexor Tendons Following Volar Locking Plate Fixation for Distal Radius Fracture: A Case Report

J Hand Surg Asian Pac Vol. 2021 Jun;26(2):301-304. doi: 10.1142/S2424835521720127.

Abstract

A 68-year-old man with a right distal radius fracture treated with volar locking plate fixation previously was unable to flex his right thumb and four fingers without experiencing any adverse event. The flexor pollicis longus was reconstructed with a tendon graft using the lengthened flexor digitorum superficialis. The flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) of the ring finger was reconstructed with a tendon graft using the palmaris longus. The FDP of the index and little fingers was reconstructed using the interconnected tendon graft to the ring finger. Postoperatively, active flexion of all fingers and thumb was restored; however, he was unable to grasp thin objects because of the absence of full finger flexion. This is the first case wherein all nine flexor tendons being involved after volar locking plate fixation for a distal radius end fracture. We demonstrated a reconstructive procedure for long-standing multiple flexor tendon rupture after volar locking plate fixation.

Keywords: Distal radius fracture; Flexor tendon; Tendon rupture; Volar locking plate.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Bone Plates
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Radius Fractures / surgery*
  • Rupture / etiology
  • Rupture / surgery
  • Tendon Injuries / etiology*
  • Tendon Injuries / surgery*