Prophylactic decompression of extensor pollicis longus to prevent rupture.

We present a case of a patient with spontaneous rupture of right extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendon, who had also developed left wrist pain and weakness in his left EPL that MRI studies confirmed to be caused by tendinosis. Subsequently, decompression of left EPL and reconstruction of right EPL with palmaris longus tendon graft was undertaken. In this case, decompression of the left EPL tendon led to resolution of the patient's symptoms as well as preventing tendon rupture. We advocate the use of ultrasound imaging to evaluate EPL in these cases and prophylactic decompression of EPL tendon to avoid rupture in those patients found to have tendinosis.