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Extensor Pollicis Longus Tendon Rupture Following a Cat Bite: A Case Report and Review of Literature
Sushmit Singh1, Salim Adamji1, Ravi Badge1
1Trauma and Orthopaedics, Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Warrington, GBR.
Cureus
|September 25, 2023
Summary
This case report details the first documented extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendon rupture from a cat bite. Prompt surgical repair led to a positive functional outcome, emphasizing early diagnosis for animal bite-related tendon injuries.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Hand Surgery
- Traumatology
Background:
- Animal bites, especially from cats, pose risks for soft tissue and bone complications.
- Tendon injuries are a potential, though less commonly reported, sequela of animal bites.
Observation:
- A 43-year-old female presented with an extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendon rupture in her dominant hand.
- The injury occurred subsequent to a cat bite.
Findings:
- Surgical reconstruction of the ruptured EPL tendon was successfully performed using the extensor indicis proprius (EIP) tendon transfer.
- The patient experienced a positive functional recovery following the procedure.
Implications:
- Highlights the critical need to consider tendon injuries in patients presenting with animal bites, even without overt signs of infection.
- Underscores the importance of prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention for EPL ruptures to prevent long-term functional deficits.
- Suggests a high index of suspicion for tendon damage following cat bites is warranted in clinical practice.
