[Rupture of extensor tendons due to an isolated lesion in the distal ulnar extremity]

Rupture of the extensor tendons is a well known complication of rheumatoid arthritis involving the wrist or any form of diffuse arthrosis. It is much less common in the context of isolated arthrosis of the distal radioulnar joint. The authors report ten cases of this disease in patients without rheumatoid arthritis. All patients in this series were over sixty years of age and reported insidious development of an extension deficit of the little finger, followed by the ring finger. The typical radiographic image of erosion into the sigmoid notch of the radius should be noted and should lead to arthrography in order to determine the status of the joint capsule. Surgical intervention should be performed before major tendon rupture occurs. The results presented here were adversely affected by the delay in surgical treatment. Once rupture of the extensor digiti minimi has occurred, the articular and tendinous pathology must be both be treated, including tendon repair and plasty of the dorsal retinaculum.