Description
In this presentation, Adam Watts, an upper limb surgeon at Wrightington Hospital, discusses the current approaches to managing simple olecranon fractures, particularly in elderly patients. He highlights the importance of considering patient demographics, including age and co-morbidities, in treatment decisions. The talk emphasizes the Mayo classification for categorizing olecranon fractures based on their displacement and stability of the ulnohumeral joint. Watson details historical and current treatment methods, such as tension band wiring, while warning of its high complication rates, particularly in frail patients. He compares various treatment modalities including non-operative management, plastering or plating techniques, and innovative suture repair methods, presenting data on their effectiveness and re-operation rates. The talk concludes with a discussion on the importance of evaluating fracture stability and selecting appropriate surgical techniques for optimal patient outcomes.
DOI: 10.1302/3114-210361