
Idiopathic Degenerative Elongation of Extensor Pollicis Longus Tendon: Case Series
82-83
Correspondence
Dr S. Ali Ziaee. Baqiyatallah University of Medical Science, Vanaq Sqaure, Mollasadra Ave. 19945-587, Tehran, Iran. E-mail: Sali_Ziaee@yahoo.com
Three cases of elongation and attrition of the extensor pollicis longus without detectable fracture after wrist injury or dislocations of carpal bones or radio carpal joint and any connective tissue disorders are reported. The average age of all patients was 20 years. With palmar flexion of wrist, patients were able to completely extend their thumb finger, but with dorsiflexion of wrist, the ability to extend the thumb was lost. Elongation and thinning of the extensor pollicis longus tendon have not been reported in the literature. No mechanisms have been proposed to account for this problem. The following cases, the first of its kind of which we are aware, may help to clarify the relationships between degeneration and tendon rupturing.