Delayed flexor tendon entrapment in callus after an open comminuted distal radius physeal injury in a child: A case...

Tendon entrapment within fracture callus is an uncommon complication in children, particularly after forearm fractures. We report an 8-year-old boy with an open comminuted distal radius physeal injury treated with debridement, open reduction, and K-wire fixation, who later developed an isolated flexion contracture of the index finger at the distal interphalangeal joint. Surgical exploration revealed entrapment of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon of the index finger within a bony tunnel formed by exuberant callus. The bony tunnel was excised, and tenolysis was performed. The child regained full range of motion by 6 weeks after surgery and had normal function at 1-year follow-up. Delayed tendon entrapment within callus is a rare complication of open distal radius physeal injury and may mimic an isolated contracture. Early recognition and timely surgical release can result in complete functional recovery.