olecranon fractures

Question 1

TRUE OR FALSE - olecranon fractures are intra articular by definiton

Answer 1

true

Question 2

what muscle inserts at the olecranon?

Answer 2

triceps

Question 3

how to olecranon fractures usually occour?

Answer 3

indirect trauma when a patient falls on an outstretched arm, resulting in the sudden pull of the triceps (and brachialis) muscle

Question 4

what are the clinical features of an olecranon fracture?

Answer 4

• history of falling onto outstretched hand
• tenderness when palpating over posterior aspet of elbow
• disruption to triceps mechanism = cant extend elbow against gravity
• examine shoulder and wrist joints

Question 5

what investigations should be done?

Answer 5

• routine bloods, including a clotting screen and a group and save
• imaging via plain AP and lateral radiographs of affected joint and potentially joint above and below

Question 6

how are olecranon fractures managed non operatively?

Answer 6

• analgesia
• non operative = low degree of displacement.
• immobilise joint and early introduction of ROM at 1-2 weeks

Question 7

how are olecranon fractures managed operatively?

Answer 7

• analgesia
• operating = high degree of displacement
• can do tension band wiring or olecranon plating. High rate of metal work removal due to superficial nature of injury, it impacts the patient significantly.