title: Design and application of nickel-titanium olecranon memory connector in treatment of olecranon fractures: a prospective randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We carried out this study to test the efficacy of the olecranon memory connector (OMC) in olecranon fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  We designed a prospective randomised controlled trial involving 40 cases of olecranon fractures. From May 2004 to December 2009, 40 patients with olecranon fractures were randomly assigned into two groups. Twenty patients were treated with OMC, while another 20 patients were fixed with locking plates in our hospital. The DASH score, MEP score, range of motion and radiographs were used to evaluate the postoperative elbow function and complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For MEP score, OMC was better than the locking plate; for DASH score, complication rate, and range of elbow motion, the two methods presented no significant difference.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study showed that OMC could be an effective alternative to treat olecranon fractures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, NO.168 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Xiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Xiaofei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Liehu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Chuncai
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jiacan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Su
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates; D001864:Bone Wires; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009532:Nickel; D056740:Olecranon Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D014025:Titanium; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014458:Ulna Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D000092464:Elbow Injuries
chemical_list: C040654:titanium nickelide; D009532:Nickel; D014025:Titanium