Olecranon Fractures

The Olecranon is the proximal part of the humerus. It is rare to fracture it. Olecranon fractures usually occur after
- direct blow or fall onto the elbow
- fall on outstretched hand with elbow flexed
- avulsion fracture
- stress fracture eg. throwing, weight lifting

Clinical Features
Significant amounts of elbow swelling
Inability to extend arm (due to triceps rupture)
Ulnar nerve injury possible

 




Radiological Findings
Fracture is normally obvious.

The radiological difficulty is differentiating fractures from the olecranon epiphysis. The olecranon epiphysis appears between the age of 8 and 11, and fuses by the age of 14.









Management
Undisplaced needs above elbow backslab, and fracture clinic.
Displaced or involving then elbow joint need an ORIF - so immediate orthopaedic opinion.

References
http://radiopaedia.org/articles/olecranon-fractures-1
http://radiopaedia.org/cases/olecranon-fracture-2
Oxford Handbook of Emergency Medicine
Minor Injuries
Musculoskeletal Trauma
Emergency Care of Minor Trauma in Children