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Fracture, Olecranon, Sports Medicine

Greg Nakamoto, MD, FACP Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

The issue of fundamental concern when evaluating fractures of the olecranon is determining whether the fracture is displaced or nondisplaced: 
  • Nondisplaced fractures can be managed with immobili...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

Mechanism of injury 1,2,3
  • A fall, often from standing height, or blunt trauma to the posterior elbow may cause the fracture directly.

  • A fall onto an outstretched hand may cause a frac...

TREATMENT

  • Radiographic classification and staging of olecranon fractures can help guide decisions regarding operative versus nonoperative treatment:

    • There are several systems used for classification of...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Nondisplaced fractures (Mayo type I): can be released to home in a splint or cast with follow-up x-rays in 1 wk

  • Displaced fractures: disposition determined in cons...

REFERENCES

1
Veillette CJ, Steinmann SP. Olecranon fractures. Orthop Clin North Am.  2008;39(2):229–236.
2
Brolin TJ, Throckmorton T. Olecranon fractures. Hand Clin.  2015;31(4):581–590.
3
Ali M,...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Duckworth AD, Bugler KE, Clement ND, et al. Nonoperative management of displaced olecranon fractures in low-demand elderly patients. J Bone Joint Surg Am.  2014;96(1):67–72.

  • Duc...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • The goal when evaluating fractures of the olecranon is determining whether the fracture is nondisplaced and stable versus displaced and/or unstable.

  • For a fracture of the olecranon to b...

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