Most olecranon fractures are intraarticular and therefore can compromise the stability of the elbow joint. When dispaced, open reduction and internal fixation are usually requried to obtain anatomic realignment of the articular surface and
restore
normal elbow function.
In a retrospective study of 27 patients, fractures of the olecranon with operative treatment were analyzed for relationship between the treatment result and type of fracture, treatment method, articular involvement, and postoperative step-off of
articular surface from July, 1986 to September 1992
and following results were obtained.
1. There were 9 type I, 19 type II and 1 type III according to Mayo classification.
2. The methods of treatment were 6 cases(21%) of open reduction and medullary nailing, 16 cases(55%) of open reduction and tension band wiring, 2 cases(7%) of proximal fragment excision, and 3 cases of screw fixation.
3. Clinical results were good in 13 cases(48%), 9, fair(35%), 5 poor(17%) according to the criteria by Helm et al.
Radiologic results were good in 12 cases(45%), 8 fair(30%), 5 poor(19%) except 2 cases of
fragment excision.
4. The most common complication was protrusion of fixation device(14 cases:52%).
5. The poor result was noted mostly in Mayo fracture type III. articular involvement more
than 60%, and postoperative step-off more than 2mm.
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