Comminuted olecranon fractures: A comparison of plating methods

• Published in: Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery 2006, Vol.15 (1), p.94-99
• Main Authors: Gordon, Michael J., Budoff, Jeffrey E., Yeh, Ming Long, Luo, Zong-Ping, Noble, Philip C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Biomechanical Phenomena; Bone Plates; Bone Screws; Cadaver; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Elbow Joint - injuries; Elbow Joint - surgery; Equipment Failure Analysis; Fracture Fixation, Internal - methods; Fractures, Comminuted; Humans; Injuries of the limb. Injuries of the spine; Medical sciences; Random Allocation; Traumas. Diseases due to physical agents
• ISSN: 1058-2746; 1532-6500
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jse.2005.06.003

The relative strength of posterior plating and dual medial-lateral plating for comminuted olecranon fractures has not been evaluated. Fifteen male cadaveric elbows with simulated highly comminuted olecranon fractures were tested to failure via cantilever bending. The strength of dual medial-lateral plates and a single posterior plate with and without an intramedullary screw was evaluated. The mean bending moment at failure for the dual-plated specimens was 30.0 ± 7.5 Nm. The mean bending moment at failure for specimens with a posterior plate without an intramedullary screw was 34.5 ± 9.1 Nm. The mean bending moment at failure for specimens with a posterior plate and an intramedullary screw was 44.5 ± 6.9 Nm; this was significantly greater than for dual-plated specimens ( P < .05) but not for specimens with a posterior plate without an intramedullary screw. The posterior plate with an intramedullary screw was the most stable construct tested and may, therefore, be the preferred method of fixation for comminuted olecranon fractures. This construct was significantly (48%) stronger than dual medial and lateral plating.