Scaphoid nonunion and flexor pollicis longus tendon rupture

J Hand Surg Am. 1999 Nov;24(6):1211-9. doi: 10.1053/jhsu.1999.1211.

Abstract

Four patients presented with a rupture of the flexor pollicis longus tendon that was associated with a longstanding scaphoid nonunion. A radiocarpal arthrosis was present in 3 of the 4 patients and a dorsiflexed intercalated segment instability deformity was also seen in 3 of the 4 patients. Three patients underwent surgery consisting of an osteosynthesis with an iliac bone graft for the scaphoid nonunion and a palmaris longus tendon graft for the ruptured flexor pollicis longus tendon. An osseous union of the scaphoid and a functional active range of motion of the thumb interphalangeal joint (33 degrees on average) was attained in all 3 of the patients treated surgically. Preoperative radiologic examinations and intraoperative findings suggest that the volarly protruding distal scaphoid segment is the cause of the rupture.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Bone Transplantation
  • Carpal Bones / injuries*
  • Carpal Bones / pathology
  • Carpal Bones / surgery
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal
  • Fractures, Ununited / diagnosis
  • Fractures, Ununited / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Joint Instability / diagnosis
  • Joint Instability / surgery
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnosis
  • Range of Motion, Articular / physiology
  • Rupture
  • Tendon Injuries / diagnosis
  • Tendon Injuries / surgery*
  • Wrist Injuries / diagnosis
  • Wrist Injuries / surgery*