Late Presentation of Isolated Digital Contracture following Forearm Fracture

Abstract

The inflammatory response associated with fracture healing induces varying levels of local scarring and adhesions. Associated morbidity from local adhesions is rare in forearm fractures, but entrapment of flexor tendons has been reported in the literature following both-bone forearm fractures in children and adolescents [1–9]. In 14 of the 15 cases of flexor tendon entrapment following both-bone forearm fractures, the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendon was involved. Akita and Kawai [1] reported on a flexor digitorum superficialis tendon entrapment 4 weeks following injury. It is thought that the more superficial location of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) tendon affords some protection from adhesion to the fracture site. We present a delayed presentation of contracture of the index finger in a 15-year-old patient 5 years following a forearm fracture.