Olecranon fracture
Background
- Occurs via direct trauma or by fall w/ forced hyperextension of elbow
- Common in high energy mechanism in young and falls in elderly
- Associated injuries are common:
- Dislocations, radial head fx, ulnar nerve injury
Clinical Features
- Pain, swelling, and occasionally over posterior elbow
- Forearm extension strength is reduced (triceps inserts at the olecranon)
Differential Diagnosis
Elbow Diagnoses
Radiograph-Positive
- Distal humerus fracture
- Radial head fracture
- Capitellum fracture
- Olecranon fracture
- Elbow dislocation
Radiograph-Negative
- Biceps tendon rupture/dislocation
- Lateral epicondylitis
- Medial epicondylitis
- Olecranon bursitis (nonseptic)
- Pronator teres syndrome
- Septic bursitis
Pediatric
- Nursemaid's elbow
- Supracondylar fracture
- Lateral epicondyle fracture
- Medial epicondyle fracture
- Olecranon fracture
- Radial head fracture
- Salter-Harris fractures
Management
- Rule-out ulnar nerve injury
- Immobilize w/ long arm posterior mold w/ elbow in flexion and forearm neutral
- Refer to ortho w/in 24hr
See Also
Source
- Tintinalli