Attritional rupture of extensor pollicis longus by migration of Kirschner wires fixed in non-union scaphoid fracture: A case report

Abstract

We report a rare complication of internal fixation induced extensor pollicis longus (EPL) rupture. A 34-year-old male sustained a rupture of EPL tendon after the operation of open-reduction internal fixation of the non-union scaphoid fracture by means of two Kirschner wires and autogenous bone grafting from ipsilateral anterior superior iliac spine. He was successfully treated with palmaris longus tendon graft. Attrition of the extensor pollicis longus tendon by migration of Kirschner wires was the major mechanism.