Extensor Pollicis Longus Tendinitis Developing after Fracture is not a Cause of Tendon Rupture in the Early Period: Prospective Study
Taner Alic1, Ercan Hassa21Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Hitit University Faculty of Medicine, Corum, Türkiye, 2Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Memorial Ankara Hospital, Ankara, Türkiye
Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the extensor pollicis longus (EPL) changes that develop after distal radius fractures and to show their effects on the risk of EPL tendon rupture in the acute period. Methods: In 36 patients operated because of distal radius fracture, ultrasonographic evaluations were made at 1 day, 3, and 6 weeks postoperatively. Measurements were taken from the thickness of the tendon sheath and the EPL tendon in the third compartment at the level of the distal radius. The patients were separated into two groups as those who developed (n=18) and did not develop (n=11) tendinitis. In both groups, measurements were statistically compared to the unaffected side. Results: The EPL tendon thickness measured at 3-time points was found to be statistically significantly different in the group with tendinitis. A statistically significant difference was determined between the normal wrist and the 3-week postoperative EPL tendon thickness measurement. The EPL tendon sheath thickness measured at 3-time points was found to be statistically significantly different in the group with tendinitis. The differences between the EPL tendon sheath thickness measurements in the normal wrist and the operated wrist on day 1 and at 3 weeks postoperatively were determined to be statistically significant. At 6-week postoperatively, there was no statistically significant difference between measurements of the two groups. Conclusion: Tendinitis developing in the EPL tendon is not a risk of tendon rupture in the acute period and in the subsequent period, it shows regression. Keywords: Extensor pollicis longus, fracture, radius, rupture, tendon
Cite This Article
Alic T, Hassa E. Extensor Pollicis Longus Tendinitis Developing after Fracture is not a Cause of Tendon Rupture in the Early Period: Prospective Study. EJMI. 2023; 7(3): 231-234
Corresponding Author: Taner Alic