Rupture of Extensor Pollicis Longus Tendon after Fracture of Distal Radius

We reviewed 10 ruptures of the extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendon after fracture of the distal radius, five of which were at first diagnosed without fracture. Eight were female and two were male. Their ages ranged from 14 to 73 years. All fractures showed minimal displacement around the Lister's tubercle. The mean interval between the fracture and EPL tendon rupture was 4.3 weeks, the mean interval of the cases treated with casting was 5.6 and without fixation was 3.2 weeks respectively. We think that mechanical friction contributes to the damage and inflammation to the tendon, resulting in rupture.