Late Spontaneous Rupture of the Extensor Pollicis Longus Tendon Following Colles Fracture

Abstract

Subcutaneous rupture of the extensor pollicis longus tendon was first described in the latter part of the nineteenth century. Kettledrummers in the German army, especially beginners, were prone to lose the use of their thumbs. The military surgeons considered the lesion to be a nerve paralysis and called it Trommlerlahmung or drummer's palsy. Dums1subsequently revealed the loss of use of the thumb to be due to a tendon rupture. Instances have also been recorded of subcutaneous ruptures of tendons about the wrist which have occurred in carpenters, tailors and reed weavers. Subcutaneous rupture of a tendon at the wrist is uncommon. When the tendon is subjected to any great strain, either the periosteal insertion may give way and carry with it a fragment of bone or a rupture may occur at the musculotendinous junction. In order to rupture spontaneously the tendon must have been previously damaged by either