Let us Know About Olecranon Fracture

An olecranon fracture is an injury to one of the elbow bones. The olecranon is the prominent bone that makes the elbow point. The bone is actually the end of the Ulna bone, one of the two forearm bones. The triceps is the muscle that straightens the elbow, and olecranon fractures may impair a person’s ability to straighten the elbow joint. Surgeons use Locking Olecranon Plate in the treatment of this fracture.

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Olecranon fractures can happen by either falling directly on the elbow back or by the triceps muscle pulling off a fragment of bone from the elbow (known as avulsion fracture). Stress fractures also are a potential mechanism of injury to the olecranon, usually seen in athletes such as baseball pitchers.

Symptoms of Olecranon Fracture

Patients who have a trauma like a car accident or fall, and have pain in the elbow, or problem in moving the elbow, should be evaluated for an olecranon fracture. Symptoms of an olecranon fracture include:

• Problem bending the elbow joint
• Pain behind the elbow
• Bruising and swelling of the elbow
• Deformity of the bone behind the elbow

Olecranon fractures are usually suspected based on physical examination findings, though a definitive identification is typically created by an X-ray examination. X-rays are often sufficient to both diagnosis and know treatment of the problem. In some more subtle injuries, like stress fractures, an MRI can be useful in making a diagnosis.

Treatment of an Olecranon Fracture

Treatment of an olecranon fracture relies on the level of displacement of the fracture fragments and the function of the triceps muscle. If the fracture is non-displaced, or minimally displaced, and therefore the triceps muscle is able to extend the elbow, then surgery may not be essential. In these cases, protection from activity (sling or splint) and time will normally heal the fracture. Otherwise, surgical treatment of olecranon fractures is the normal treatment.

Surgery is the correct treatment when the bone fragments are out of place, or if the triceps muscle isn’t functioning due to the injury. There are many ways to surgically repair an

olecranon fracture. An incision is formed over the back of elbow joint, and the bone fragments are repositioned into the correct place. Either wires, pins, bone screws, or orthopedic plates can be used to secure the bone fragments in the correct position. All the above products are provided by Orthopedic Implants Manufacturers In India.

Surgery is also essential when the injury is an open fracture. An open fracture happens when the bone penetrates the skin, causing a pathway for infection to induce into the part of healing bone. Open fractures nearly always need surgery in order to lower the chance of infection.

After surgery, patients are often immobilized for a short period, but the aim is to start elbow motion as soon as possible. Often, gentle motion is started within the first weeks following surgery. The level of motion allowed relies on the strength of fracture repair and the surrounding bone.

Total healing time of an olecranon fracture is around 10 to 12 weeks. 

Siora Surgicals Pvt. Ltd. is a renowned Trauma Implants Manufacturer In India. It offers multiple Bone Plates – conventional as well as Locking Plates, Anatomical Plates for different types and locations of fracture in Ulna and Radius Bone as well as the elbow joint. The implant range is supplemented with special Orthopedic Instruments to assist the Orthopedic Surgeon to properly treat the fracture site.

SIORA also offers External Fixation System to treat an open fracture in the forearm, upper arm or elbow joint.