Outcomes of nonoperative management of displaced olecranon fractures in medically unwell patients

Conservative versus surgical treatment for displaced olecranon fractures in the elderly: a retrospective study and a review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Surgery is the gold standard treatment of displaced olecranon fracture, but it presents a high rate of complications, especially in the elderly, including wound breakdown and fixation failure. Conservative treatment of these fractures has recently been proposed with good functional outcomes. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the functional results and level of satisfaction of displaced olecranon fractures which were managed surgically or conservatively in geriatric patients. The rate of implant removal and reoperation in the surgical group were also calculated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixteen and eleven patients aged ≥ 75 years (mean 83 and 86.2, respectively) with isolated Mayo IIA or IIB olecranon fracture were surgically and conservatively treated, respectively. All but 1 were females. Due to coronavirus pandemic, they were contacted by phone to validated clinical scores (QuickDASH, PREE and VAS), which were used to assess the outcome.

RESULTS

At an average follow-up of 26.5 months in the conservative group and 53.1 in the surgical group (range 4-82), the mean Quick DASH was 11.67 and 11.2, respectively, while the mean PREE was 11.36 and 12.67, respectively. There was no significant difference in functional outcomes between the two groups, and all patients were satisfied. Seven complications occurred in the surgical cohort (33.3%), requiring reoperation in 4 cases (19%).

CONCLUSIONS

Displaced olecranon fractures can successfully be treated conservatively in low-demand geriatric patients with good functional results and high satisfaction rate.

Risk Factors for Loss of Reduction After Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Isolated Olecranon Fractures in Adults

BACKGROUND

We sought to determine whether any relevant patient, fracture, surgical, or postoperative characteristics are associated with loss of reduction after plate fixation of isolated olecranon fractures in adults.

METHODS

Patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation of an olecranon fracture at our institution over an 11-year period were analyzed. Electronic patient charts and radiographic images were reviewed to gather patient, fracture, surgical, and postoperative data. Statistical analysis to explore the differences between groups was performed.

RESULTS

Seven of 96 patients experienced a loss of fracture reduction diagnosed at a median of 19 days after their initial surgery (range: 4-116 days). The radiographic mode of failure of all patients who lost reduction was proximal migration of the proximal fracture fragment with or without implant failure. The group that lost reduction had a significantly smaller proximal fragment (14.2 vs 18.6 mm), a higher incidence of malreduction with a persistent articular step-off greater than 2 mm (6/7 vs 14/89), a greater distance between the most proximal screw and the olecranon tip (19.8 vs 13.5 mm), a higher proportion of constructs with screws placed outside of the primary plate (4/7 vs 14/89), and a higher proportion of patients that were not immobilized postoperatively (3/7 vs 8/89).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest anatomical reduction at the articular surface and adequate fixation of the proximal fragment are key factors in maintenance of reduction, with smaller proximal fragments being at higher risk for failure. A period of postoperative immobilization may decrease the risk of loss of reduction.

Olecranon fractures : current treatment concepts

Despite being one of the most common injuries around the elbow, the optimal treatment of olecranon fractures is far from established and stimulates debate among both general orthopaedic trauma surgeons and upper limb specialists. It is almost universally accepted that stable non-displaced fractures can be safely treated nonoperatively with minimal specialist input. Internal fixation is recommended for the vast majority of displaced fractures, with a range of techniques and implants to choose from. However, there is concern regarding the complication rates, largely related to symptomatic metalwork resulting in high rates of implant removal. As the number of elderly patients sustaining these injuries increases, we are becoming more aware of the issues associated with fixation in osteoporotic bone and the often fragile soft-tissue envelope in this group. Given this, there is evidence to support an increasing role for nonoperative management in this high-risk demographic group, even in those presenting with displaced and/or multifragmentary fracture patterns. This review summarizes the available literature to date, focusing predominantly on the management techniques and available implants for stable fractures of the olecranon. It also offers some insights into the potential avenues for future research, in the hope of addressing some of the pertinent questions that remain unanswered.Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(2):112-123.

Creative bracing: A descriptive overview of an alternative technique for non-operative fracture management of frail older adults

As the world population ages, a higher proportion of older and frailer patients will sustain fragility fractures. Considering their depleted physiologic reserve and potentially different goals of care at their stage in life, these patients; especially those enrolled in hospice care, with profound dementia, or at end-of-life care; may not benefit from traditional surgical methods of fracture care. Non-operative treatment using standard immobilization or casting techniques in older and frailer patients can still render them susceptible to complications and adverse events. Here we describe our alternative non-operative treatment method of creative bracing to address the needs of this specific population. Creative bracing can be done with simple supplies available in almost all healthcare settings. Through patient-specific pre-treatment assessment, a creative brace tailored to the patient's risk factors and goals of care can be designed to provide sufficient fracture immobilization and comfort. Creative bracing is a low-cost, low-technical demand modality for non-operative treatment of some fragility fractures. Its benefit can be appreciated to greatest effect in the frailest patients for whom standard, surgical treatment does not represent best care.