OLECRANON FRACTURE

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study is to assess the clinical and radiological outcome after tension band wiring of olecranon
fractures. Design: Descriptive study. Setting: Department of Orthopedics and Spine Surgery, Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar. Period:
July 2007 to June 2010. Materials and Methods: 29 consecutive patients of either sex with age above 20 years, having olecranon fracture.
Fracture osteosynthesis was achieved with the insertion of two parallel 1.8 mm Kirschner wires from the tip of the olecranon and an 18 gauge
wire in a figure of eight fashion. Then functional outcome is evaluated with Mayo Elbow Performance score (MEPS) while radiological outcome
is evaluated with standard radiographs. Results: Out of 29 patients, male were 19(65.5%) while female were 10(34.5%). Minimum age was 20,
maximum 80 and average age was 47.5 years. There were 7(24.1%) patients with type A, 6(20.7%) type B, 9(31%) type C, 6(20.7%) type E and
1(3.4%) with Schatzker type F fracture. Mayo Elbow Performance Score was Excellent in 13(44.8%), Good in 10(34.5%), Fair in 4(13.6%) and
Poor in 2(6.9%) patients. There were 10(34.5%) complications including prominent wire in 3(10.3%), osteoarthritis in 1(3.4%), broken skin in
3(10.3%), irritation of skin in 1(3.4%), erythema in 1(3.4%) and serous discharge in 1 (3.4%) patient. There was no non union recorded in this
study. Conclusions: Olecranon fractures heal well in most instances achieving recovery of normal function in more than 95% of patients.
Functional outcome is dependent on fracture severity, length of immobilization, and patient factors.