Tension-band fixation of olecranon fractures. A cadaver study of elbow extension

The loss of extension produced by tension-band wiring was studied using cadaveric elbows. Extension loss was found to be due to impingement of the longitudinal wires against the humerus independent of the tension band. Reducing the size of the bent end of the longitudinal wire is recommended, and bending the wire into a loop achieves this. In addition, passing the tension band through the loops prevents the wire from backing out.