Where should the pins be placed to decrease the failure rate after fixation of a Mayo IIA olecranon fracture? A biomechanical analysis

Olecranon fractures are intra-articular fractures that account for about 10% of all upper limb fractures [1, 2]. These fractures require anatomical reduction to prevent the development of post-traumatic arthritis and to restore the function of the triceps muscle for elbow extension [3]. Tension band wiring (TBW) has been widely used as a method of reliable fixation for these fractures, particularly for simple transverse displaced fractures of the olecranon. Although the evidence for clinical and biomechanical stability obtained using the standard TBW technique is excellent, there remains a risk of loss of the fixation, pull-out of the Kirschner (K) wires, and soft tissue interference [4].
Source: Injury - Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Source Type: research