Abstract

 Adhesion formation causing the loss of tendon excursion after a digital extrinsic extensor tendon injury near or within the extensor retinaculum is common. Extensor pollicis longus (EPL) injuries, repairs and management near the extensor retinaculum have been limitedly described both surgically and post-operatively. When considering necessary tendon gliding and tendon excursions at, distal or proximal to the extensor retinaculum, the size and location of EPL laceration is important in the rehabilitation and patient outcome. The patient in this case study was treated by means of a dynamic hinge orthotic with an out trigger for the thumb and hinge for the wrist. Post-operative rehabilitation management consisted of a controlled mobilization program and was progressed according to the stages of healing and the principles of EPL tendon gliding resistance with respect to the wrist position. Full thumb flexion and extension combined with wrist motion and full grip and pinch strength was attained.

Keywords: Extensor Pollicis Longus (EPL); Mobilization; Dynamic Hinge

References

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Citation

Citation: Shrikant J Chinchalkar and Laura Yurkowski. “Early Controlled Mobilization Following Extensor Pollicis Longus Repair: A Case Report". Acta Scientific Orthopaedics 3.8 (2020): 26-32.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2020 Shrikant J Chinchalkar and Laura Yurkowski. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.