Spontaneous rupture of the extensor pollicis longus tendon after conservative treatment of a non-displaced distal radius fracture in an adolescent.

A spontaneous rupture of the extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendon after a fracture of the distal radius is a known complication in adults. In contrast, there are a paucity of reports concerning EPL tendon ruptures in children and adolescents. The authors present a case of a spontaneous rupture of the EPL tendon in a 15-year-old girl after a non-displaced distal radius fracture. The patient had no predisposing factors including rheumatoid arthritis or steroid injection. During surgery, the EPL tendon was found to be ruptured at the extensor retinaculum (third compartment). Extensor indicis proprius (EIP) to EPL transfer was performed. At the 18-month follow-up, the patient was asymptomatic and showed satisfactory thumb function, with normal active extension.