Comparative Study between Intramedullary Screw versus Tension Band wiring Fixation for Simple Displaced Olecranon Fractures

Abstract

The goal of this study is to evaluate both functional and radiological outcomes in olecranon fractures management with both techniques; intramedullary screw and tension band wiring. 30 patients, with olecranon fracture mayo type IIA, were randomly grouped into two groups, 15 in each group.Group 1: fixed by intramedullary screw and group 2: fixed by tension band wiring. By comparison between types of fixation, regarding post-operative complication (loss of elbow motion, infection, loss of reduction, delayed or nonunion and pain during movement) there was no statistically significant difference between types of fixation, but there was statistically significant increase hardware removal in K-wires method. Olecranon fracture fixation with intramedullary screw was as effective as K-wire with tension band in simple displaced olecranon fractures (Mayo type IIA) regarding functional and radiological outcomes. The complication rate was higher following K-wire fixation method due to a higher rate of implant removal in symptomatic patients.