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Olecranon Fractures

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Wrist and Elbow Arthroscopy with Selected Open Procedures

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Abstract

Olecranon fractures make up a significant amount of upper extremity fractures (10%). They usually occur from a fall on the elbow with direct impaction. The majority of these are simple fractures (80%) with not more than two fragments. The most common classification is the Mayo classification, which distinguishes three types with or without comminution and correlates with clinical outcome. The most common osteosynthesis techniques are tension band wire fixation for simple fractures and plate osteosynthesis with one or two plates for multifragmentary and complex fractures. Low-profile double-plate osteosynthesis combines angular stability with low buildup on the olecranon. The most frequent complication is soft tissue irritation at the elbow caused by the applied osteosynthesis, which often necessitates hardware removal.

In elderly patients, conservative therapy is also possible by means of immobilization and subsequent physiotherapeutic exercise. Especially in osteoporotic bones, a retaining osteosynthesis is difficult, and therefore, a therapy adapted to the age of such patients should be chosen. With the correctly executed technique and appropriate implant, olecranon fractures have very good clinical outcome.

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  1. University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, Center for Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Cologne, Germany

    Andreas Harbrecht

  2. University Hospital Cologne, Center of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Cologne, Germany

    Kilian Wegmann & Lars P. Müller

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  1. Division of Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery Section of Arthroscopic Surgery and Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA

    William B. Geissler

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Harbrecht, A., Wegmann, K., Müller, L.P. (2022). Olecranon Fractures. In: Geissler, W.B. (eds) Wrist and Elbow Arthroscopy with Selected Open Procedures. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-78881-0_69

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