title: Non-surgical functional treatment for displaced olecranon fractures in the elderly.
abstract: We retrospectively evaluated the clinical and radiological outcomes of a consecutive cohort of patients aged > 70 years with a displaced fracture of the olecranon, which was treated non-operatively with early mobilisation. We identified 28 such patients (27 women) with a mean age of 82 years (71 to 91). The elbow was initially immobilised in an above elbow cast in 90° of flexion of the elbow for a mean of five days. The cast was then replaced by a sling. Active mobilisation was encouraged as tolerated. No formal rehabilitation was undertaken. At a mean follow-up of 16 months (12 to 26), the mean ranges of flexion and extension were 140° and 15° respectively. On a visual analogue scale of 1 (no pain) to 10, the mean pain score was 1 (0 to 8). Of the original 28 patients 22 developed nonunion, but no patients required surgical treatment. We conclude that non-operative functional treatment of displaced olecranon fractures in the elderly gives good results and a high rate of satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Italiano Buenos Aires, Dr Carlos E. Ottolenghi Orthopaedic Service, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Gallucci
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Piuzzi
authors.forename: P A I
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Slullitel
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Boretto
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Alfie
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Donndorff
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Carli
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D056740:Olecranon Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000092464:Elbow Injuries
keywords: Conservative; Elbow fracture; Elderly patients; Functional treatment; Non-surgical treatment; Olecranon fracture