Spontaneous tendon rupture in rheumatoid hand-successful reconstruction with tendon transfer: a case report

Rheumatoid arthritis is not as common a problem in Taiwan as it is in western countries. Compared with traumatic tendon rupture, tendon rupture in rheumatoid arthritis has its complex and peculiar pathophysiological mechanism which includes chemical erosion by hypertrophic synovium and mechanical attrition by deformed joints and bony spurs. In management, all these pathological foci must be eradicated to prevent recurrent failure. Tendon transfer is a simple and effective method for reconstructing lost tendon function.