Flexor tendon ruptures in the rheumatoid patient

In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, flexor tendon ruptures are much less common than extensor tendon ruptures. The most common cause of flexor tendon rupture is direct abrasion on a bony prominence. The most common flexor tendon rupture is the flexor pollicis longus (FPL) attritional rupture within the carpal canal. The best treatment for flexor tendon rupture is prevention. Flexor tenosynovectomy is indicated when medical management does not control wrist tenosynovitis. A variety of techniques are available for reconstruction of flexor tendon ruptures. Irrespective of the reconstructive method, the results of reconstruction for rheumatoid flexor tendon rupture are poor.