Spontaneous rupture of the extensor pollicis longus tendon in a young goalkeeper: a case report

We report an exceptional case of an acute spontaneous rupture of the extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendon in a 16-year-old professional goalkeeper treated by primary surgical repair. Eight weeks after surgery, full thumb motion was regained. Four months after the surgical procedure, the patient resumed playing at the same level and he had no complaint at the 12-month follow-up. The anatomical alteration of Lister's tubercle and the consequent microinstability, associated with overuse and overloading, appeared to be the cause of the EPL tendon rupture. In the present case, an end-to-end suture appeared to be a safe surgical procedure.