ArticleBMC musculoskeletal disorders2025
Inflammatory and degenerative changes in the extensor pollicis longus muscle and tendon following ruptures caused by distal radius fractures.
Article in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT06313489 (Rupture of Extensor Pollicis Longus Tendon After Fracture of the Distal Radius, Study of Muscle and Tendon Pathology), which is not on this map. Cited by 1 paper.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Rupture of Extensor Pollicis Longus Tendon After Fracture of the Distal Radius, Study of Muscle and Tendon Pathology
Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- An Extensor Indicis Proprius Transfer for Chronic Extensor Pollicis Longus Injury After Nearly 2 Decades: A Case Report.JBJS case connector · 2025Article
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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors.
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No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundRupture of extensor pollicis longus tendon (EPL) is a known complication following a distal radius fracture (DRF). Although the precise mechanisms behind these ruptures remain unclear, vascular impairment is thought to play a significant role. Additionally, the impact of an EPL rupture on microstructure of the tendon and muscle is not well understood, but such information could be important in guiding treatment strategies. This study aims to explore the histopathological changes in the EPL tendon and muscle in patients who have experienced an EPL rupture following a DRF.
methodsConsecutive patients with an EPL rupture following a DRF were included and treated with an Extensor Indicis Proprius to EPL tendon transfer. Samples were taken from the distal part of EPL muscle and the proximal tendon from the musculotendinous junction to the rupture site as well as from the tendon distal to the rupture. The tendon specimens were analysed by standard histopathological techniques including immunohistochemistry. In cases of sufficient amount of muscle, fresh frozen specimens were analysed by enzyme- and immuno-histochemistry on cryostat sections.
resultsThirteen patients (12 females, 1 male; median age 61, range 18-72 years) were included in the study. The EPL muscle in all participants showed extensive inflammatory changes, muscle fiber necrosis and regeneration, structural changes in the muscle fibers and slight interstitial fibrosis. The EPL tendon showed profound degenerative changes mainly in the central part of the tendon whereas there were regenerative changes in the periphery of the tendon. The pathological changes were present in all samples regardless of time between the DRF and the EPL rupture or the time between the diagnosis of the rupture and surgery.
conclusionsThe extensive inflammatory changes in the EPL muscle indicate that immune mediated mechanisms are involved in muscle degeneration following tendon rupture. The EPL tendon showed characteristic degenerative changes at the myotendinous junction, as well as proximally and distally to the rupture site. The reversibility and the clinical significance of the severe pathological changes seen in the EPL muscle alongside the healing potential of the tendon need further investigation.
trial registrationRetrospectively registered the 2024-03-15 at Clinicaltrials.gov, ID: NCT06313489.
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