[Rupture of extensor tendons due to chronic post-traumatic distal radio-ulnar dislocation. Case report]

We report a case of extensor tendon rupture due to chronic post-traumatic distal radioulnar dislocation. These lesions are frequent in rheumatic and arthrotic wrists due to dorsal capsule rupture and tendon erosion by the ulnar head. An identical mechanism was involved in this case.

The involved tendons were the extensor of the fifth digit and the common extensor of the fourth and fifth digits, which coincides with most of the reported cases. They were sutured to each other and all of them to the extensor of the third digit. Nothing was done to the ulnar head because the patient refused that part of the procedure.

After six weeks of immobilization with a brace and two months of rehabilitation the patient recovered the ranges of motion, with the exception of the last ten degrees of extension. Pain on the cubital aspect did not change.

These lesions are frequent in certain risk groups, as mentioned above. Once the tendons have been sutured or grafted, the distal aspect of the ulna should be resected in case of arthrosis or deformity to prevent new ruptures and relief pain.