Grip lock injury resulting in extensor tendon pseudorupture: case report

Grip lock injuries are uncommon, potentially devastating occurrences in male gymnasts performing high bar routines, and typically cause severe wrist sprains or forearm fractures. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of a 24-year-old former collegiate gymnast surgically treated for complete loss of index and long finger extension (pseudorupture) after a grip lock injury. Intraoperative evaluation 3 weeks after injury revealed profound intratendinous attenuation of index and long finger extensors with adhesions in the fourth compartment. We performed tenolysis and imbrication of the affected tendons. At 12-month follow-up, the patient had no pain, full digital range of motion with the wrist in neutral, but residual extensor lag with the wrist in extension. He had returned to gymnastics with some apprehension. This case broadens the known spectrum of grip lock injuries.