Irreducible distal radial fracture due to extensor pollicis longus tendon interposition: a case report

Various causes have been reported for irreducible fractures of the distal radius. Most of them have been reported in children. We report a case of irreducible distal radial fracture in an 18-year-old Caucasian male patient. The fracture was not reducible by closed methods and extensor pollicis tendon was found to be interposed during surgical intervention. At one year follow-up, the patient had good radiological evidence of fracture healing and a good functional outcome. This case report highlights the need for a high index of suspicion to rule out soft tissue interposition in cases of irreducible distal radial fractures and a low threshold for open reduction.