Rupture of the extensor pollicis longus tendon without fracture after wrist trauma: case reports.

Four cases of rupture of the tendon of the extensor pollicis longus without detectable fracture after wrist injury are reported. The clinical features of this condition did not differ materially from those of rupture occurring after a Colles fracture. All patients were rather young, the average age being 40 years. In one patient rupture occurred a day after injury. In all patients satisfactory thumb function was restored with extensor indicis proprius tendon transfer.