Comminuted olecranon fractures treated with anatomically preshaped locking and nonlocking plates: A retrospective comparative study

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical outcome of patients with comminuted olecranon fractures treated with anatomically preshaped locking and nonlocking plates.MethodsFrom 2006 to 2010, 30 patients with comminuted olecranon fractures were treated with anatomically preshaped locking or nonlocking plates. Patients with a minimum follow-up of 12 months after surgery were evaluated for this analysis. Validated patient-oriented assessment scores including the Mayo Elbow Performance Index (MEPI), range of motion (ROM), and patient satisfaction were evaluated. All patients had follow-up radiographs.ResultsTen patients treated with nonlocking plates (Group A) and 13 treated with locking plates (Group B) were included in this analysis. The average patient age was 36.5 years in Group A and 43.4 years in Group B. The mean MEPI (95 vs. 94), flexion/extension arc (124° vs. 120°), and time to union (3.1 months vs. 2.9 months) were not significantly different between Groups A and B, respectively. No infection occurred in either group. There were three complications in Group A, including one screw pullout, one case of elbow stiffness, and one case of residual valgus deformity. There were three patients in each group who received implant removal 11.3 months and 13 months, respectively, after surgery.ConclusionBoth preshaped locking and nonlocking olecranon plates can achieve good results in the treatment of comminuted olecranon fractures.