Spontaneous Rupture of the Extensor Tendon of the Hand in Rheumatoid Patients

Abstract

Seventeen hands of 16 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who had spontaneous rupture of the extensor tendon were surgically treated. Eight of 17 hands had an isolated rupture of the extensor policis longs tendon, and the others had a combined rupture of the index to small finger. Surgical procedures included tendon transfer using extensor indicis proprius or flexor digitorum superficialis of the ring finger in 15 cases, and tendon graft using palmaris longus in 2 cases. Synovectomy was performed in all cases, and the Darrach procedure was performed in 9 cases which did not have an isolated rupture of the extensor policis longs tendon. Good results were achieved in cases with rupture of the extensor policis longs tendon, though there was some slight extension lag remaining in some of the other cases.