Presentation
Inability to extend the little finger after cut wound.
Patient Data
A well-defined hematoma interrupts the extensor digiti minimi tendon. The power Doppler shows increased surrounding vascularity. The scar on the skin surface shows a track of scar tissue extending between the extensor digitorum and extensor digit minimi tendons.
A longitudinal view of the forearm shows the extensor digiti minimi tendon (interrupted by a hematoma) superficial to the extensor digitorum tendon. Dynamic examination was done by asking the patient to flex and extend the fingers. The extensor digiti minimi tendon shows lost contractile function, while the extensor digitorum tendon shows normal contractility. Note the sliding movement of the normal tendon contractile fibers.
Case Discussion
This is a case of a patient who experienced a cut wound on the dorsal surface of the forearm. After the wound was stitched, the patient could not extend the little finger. This concludes the importance of ultrasound in identifying tendon tears. Dynamic examination can differentiate between partial and complete tears. A complete tear is characterized by total interruption and lost action of the tendon.
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