Fracture separation of the olecranon ossification center in adults

Traumatic disruption of an incompletely fused olecranon physis in adults has been reported on only one occasion by O'Donoghue in 1942, while stress fractures of the olecranon physis have been well-recognized and reported. A series of three adult males with traumatic disruption of an incompletely fused olecranon physis was studied. Two were competing in football at the time of the injury, while a third patient sustained the injury during a fall. All of our patients were former throwing athletes and all sustained a direct blow to the dominant elbow at the time of the fracture. In our study, as well as O'Donoghue's reported case, sclerotic fracture margins were noted. Open reduction, internal fixation (ORIF) required and subsequent fibrous union occurred. Two patients chose bone grafting and returned to competitive athletics, while the third patient functioned well at a sedentary level with a fibrous union. These cases suggest a high incidence of fibrous union following ORIF. Primary bone grafting is recommended in an effort to restore normal function with one primary procedure, particularly, in the competitive athlete.