Functional outcome following treatment of transolecranon fracture-dislocation of the elbow

Elbow fracture-dislocations are considered as difficult injuries to treat. Anterior olecranon fracture-dislocation consist an uncommon pattern which is likely to be under-diagnosed. Eight patients identified as anterior fracture-dislocation of the elbow were retrospectively reviewed. There were seven men and one woman with an average age of 35 years (range, 22-58 years). Proximal ulna fracture was comminuted in seven and simple oblique in one patient. Associated fractures were of coronoid in four and radial head in two. Reconstruction plate was used in seven patients and tension band wiring in just one. Nevertheless, tension wiring failed and was successfully revised to plate fixation combined with bone graft. Patients were followed for an average of 37.4 months (range, 10-50 months). The end results were two excellent, five good and one fair, based on Broberg and Morrey scale. An average score of 89 points was obtained using American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons elbow scoring system. Treatment of anterior olecranon fracture dislocation is mostly satisfactory if contour and dimension of greater sigmoid notch is accurately restored.