Fractures of the olecranon. Analysis of 37 consecutive cases

This study is based on 37 consecutive cases of fracture of the olecranon, treated during the period 1973-1975. The average follow-up time was 2 years. The treatment was operative in all but two of the cases. Superficial post-operative infection occurred in three cases and in three cases the internal fixation failed due to porotic bone. The transverse fractures healed more satisfactorily than the comminuted ones. A short post-operative immobilization of 3 weeks or less gave the best results (P less than 0.05). In the comparison of methods cerclage combined with two Kirschner wires gave better results than cerclage alone.