What Is an Olecranon Fracture?

The protuberance behind the proximal end of the ulna, which is located under the skin, is an eagle's beak. It forms a semilunar notch with the anterior ulna coronoid process. This notch forms a joint with the humerus tackle. The ulna-humeral joint only has flexion and extension, and the olecranon fracture is an intra-articular fracture that affects the semilunar notch. Therefore, anatomical reduction is an effective measure to prevent joint instability and prevent osteoarthritis and other complications. Fractures of the ulna olecranon are more common and occur in adults.

Basic Information

English name

fracture of olecranon

Visiting department

orthopedics

Multiple groups

Adults

Common causes

The elbow joint is in the upright position when the fall or the elbow joint is straightened to the elbow, or hit directly behind the elbow

Common symptoms

Non-displacement fractures can swell and tender

Causes of ulna olecranon fracture

Indirect external force

When falling, the elbow joint is in an upright position, the external force is transmitted to the elbow, and the triceps brachii is pulled to cause avulsion fracture. The fracture line may be transverse or oblique. The two fracture ends were separated.

2.Direct external force

The elbow joint was straight when the elbow landed on the ground or hit directly behind the elbow, causing a comminuted fracture, and the fracture end was mostly separated.

Clinical manifestations of olecranon fracture

Fracture without displacement can be swollen and tender. Fractures with displacement and fractures with dislocation have a wide range of swelling. The depression, fractured bone and bone fricatives can be touched behind the elbow. Elbow joint loss of function.

Examination of ulna olecranon fracture

The auxiliary examination of this disease is mainly X-ray examination. Elbow lateral X-ray film can accurately grasp the characteristics of fractures. Anterior and posterior radiographs are also important, as they can show the direction of the fracture line on the sagittal plane. If the radial head also fractures at the same time, a significant atrophy can occur along the fracture line on the lateral X-ray film without angulation or displacement.

Treatment of ulna olecranon fracture

The results of the treatment should reach a strong and stable elbow extension, a good range of flexion and extension, and a good joint surface. The commonly used treatments are as follows.

Function brake

For various types of fractures without displacement, plaster was fixed to the elbow extension or semi-elbow extension for 3 weeks, and elbow joint exercises were started after de-braking.

2.Incision and internal fixation

Displaced transverse or oblique fractures should be reduced by incision as far as possible.

3. Fracture Excision and Triceps Tendonoplasty

The fracture was severely comminuted, the coronoid process and the distal end of the semilunar notch were complete, and the fracture block could be removed. However, a layer of bone cortex should be reserved at the triceps brachialis tendon stop to facilitate suture with the distal section. If a layer of bone cortex cannot be retained, the triceps tendon can be turned down and fixed into the distal drill hole. Postoperative fixation is usually in the elbow extension, and the time should be short. External fixation is removed in 3 to 4 weeks, and the elbow flexion and extension is actively practiced.