Functional Outcome of Closed Olecranon Fractures Surgically Treated with AO-Dynamic Compression Plate: A 5-Year Follow-Up Study

Abstract

Background: Falls and slips frequently cause elbow injuries, with the olecranon fracturing frequently. High-energy trauma may cause comminuted fractures. Tension band wiring (TBW) is the most common technique used while and some use Dynamic Compression Plates (DCP). However, TBW is known for the loss of reduction, intra-medullary migration of wires, high structural profile leading to infections, non-unions due to skin ulcerations, and ulnar nerve damage.

Objective: The current study aims to assess the outcomes of DCP fixations for closed Olecranon Type II and Type III fractures at a 5-year follow-up.

Methods: This retrospective descriptive study was conducted at the Department of Orthopedics, Lahore General Hospital (LGH), Post-Graduate Medical Institute (PGMI), Lahore, for the surgeries of olecranon fractures and at Avicenna Medical College Hospital for the 5-year follow-up of the operated cases. Twenty patients presenting with Type II & III fractures were operated on using 3.5 mm AO-DCP fixation and followed up at 1, 2, 4, 12, and 24 weeks and for long-term follow-up at 5 years after surgery.

Results: The results were reviewed using the Mayo Elbow Performance Index criteria. The patients were found to have satisfactory elbow function at the 3rd and 6th months postoperatively. Our research team reviewed all cases five years after surgery through telephone and found good outcomes during 5-year follow-ups.

Conclusion: We have found a small fragment of 3.5 mm AO-dynamic compression plate is suitable for internal fixation of olecranon fractures with minimal morbidity.