What is an olecranon fracture?
An olecranon fracture is a break in the “pointy bone” of your elbow that sticks out when you bend your arm, which is actually the end of the ulna. This type of fracture is common and usually occurs in isolation (there are no other injuries) but can also be a part of a more complex elbow injury.
What two types of fractures happen at the elbow?
Elbow fracture types
- Olecranon fracture. Olecranon fractures typically occur when the tricep muscles above the elbow suddenly contract during a fall.
- Radial head fracture. The radial head is the bone in the elbow that connects with the humerus in the elbow joint.
- Distal humerus fracture.
What is the most common elbow fracture?
Olecranon fracture is one of the most common elbow fractures, because the bone is not protected by soft tissue such as tendons, muscles or ligaments. If you experience a fall or direct blow to the olecranon it can easily fracture.
What bone is the olecranon part of?
ulna
An olecranon (oh-LEK-rah-nun) fracture is a break in the bony “tip” of the elbow. This pointy segment of bone is part of the ulna, one of the three bones that come together to form the elbow joint.
Which bone has olecranon process?
The olecranon is the part of the ulna that “cups” the lower end of the humerus, creating a hinge for elbow movement.
What is the common name for olecranon process?
It forms the most pointed portion of the elbow and is opposite to the cubital fossa or elbow pit. The olecranon serves as a lever for the extensor muscles that straighten the elbow joint….
| Olecranon | |
|---|---|
| FMA | 39795 |
| Anatomical terms of bone |
Where is olecranon process?
Olecranon process consists of bone of proximal ulna from base of coronoid process (down arrow) proximally. Trochlear notch (up arrows; also called semilunar notch) is articular surface shown between two arrows. The ulnar nerve lies on the posterior aspect of the elbow, posterior to the medial collateral ligament.
Olecranon Fractures are common fractures of the elbow that lead to loss of extensor mechanism. Diagnosis can be made with plain radiographs of the elbow. Treatment may be nonoperative for nondisplaced fractures with an intact extensor mechanism.
What are the treatment options for open olecranon fractures?
Olecranon fractures are clinically and radiographically obvious, and usually require open reduction and internal fixation.
How are olecranon fractures of the elbow diagnosed?
Olecranon fractures are easy to diagnose provided a lateral x-ray of the elbow is obtained. They appear as a lucency usually reaching the trochlear groove articular surface and are, in most cases, displaced.
How is an unstable olecranon fracture of the triceps treated?
Definitive treatment: For patients with an unstable olecranon fracture, the treatment of choice is some internal fixation construct. If the unstable fracture is just an avulsion fracture with the triceps mechanism, the triceps is typically repaired down to bone through drill holes in the olecranon or with anchors.