A Rare Case of Flexor tendon Entrapment and Rupture in Proximal Phalangeal Fracture

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Author(s): Muhammad Sheraz Raza , David Meng Kiat Tan

Pages: 27-31 |


Introduction: Flexion and extension dysfunction after phalangeal fractures is not very uncommon whether they are treated conservatively by splints or by open reduction internal fixation. But this dysfunction is mostly due to tendon adhesions and digit length shortening. There is a very rare incidence of the flexion dysfunction post phalangeal fracture due to entrapment and rupture of flexor tendon in fracture site especially in adults. To our knowledge there has not been a case reported in which there was flexor tendon rupture secondary to entrapment in phalangeal fracture. Design: Case Report Place: Department of Hand and Reconstructive Microsurgery, National University Hospital, Singapore. Case Report: This is case report is of a 19 years old manual worker who sustained multiple phalageal fractures including a closed fracture of his left index finger proximal phalanx, when his hand was crushed in a printing machine. There was a missed diagnosis of entrapment of his flexor digitorum profundus tendon in the fracture which resulted in flexion dysfunction. Conclusion: Entrapment and rupture of flexor tendon in a phalangeal fracture is a possibility and it should be kept in mind when managing a patient complaining of some flexion deficit associated with fracture.