Entrapment of the flexor digitorum superficials in the radius fracture site

Entrapment of the flexor tendon after fracture of both forearm bones is very rare. This report describes entrapment of the middle finger flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) tendon alone in the radius fracture site. A 13-year-old boy fractured both forearms and had closed reduction and a long-arm cast. After the cast was removed he had full middle finger motion with the wrist flexed but was unable to extend the proximal interphalangeal or metacarpophalangeal joints and could extend only the distal interphalangeal joint of the middle finger with the wrist in the neutral or extension position. Entrapment of the middle finger FDS tendon was suspected. After surgical release of the FDS tendon at the fracture site the patient had good functional results. Copyright (c) 2005 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.