Delayed rupture of the flexor pollicis longus tendon after inappropriate placement of the pi plate on the volar surface of the distal radius

The pi plate (Synthes Ltd, Paoli, PA) was designed to fit the unique contou r of the dorsal aspect of the distal radius. Complications of pi plate fixa tion of the dorsal distal radius have been previously reported to include b oth extensor tenosynovitis and delayed extensor tendon rupture. We report a case of rupture of the flexor pollicis longus tendon associated with inapp ropriate placement of the pi plate on the volar surface of the distal radiu s. (J Hand Surg 1999;24A:1279-1280. Copyright (C) 1999 by the American Soci ety for Surgery of the Hand.).