Late rupture of the extensor pollicis longus tendon: the case against attrition.

The authors report the case of a 23-year-old man who sustained ipsilateral volar Barton's and scaphoid fractures which were complicated by a late rupture of the extensor pollicis longus tendon. The anatomy of the injury precluded attrition as the cause of the tendon rupture and the alternative theory of ischaemic rupture is examined. Clinicians should be aware that injuries other than the Colles' fracture may be complicated by rupture of extensor pollicis longus.