The role of cancellous screw with tension band fixation in the treatment of displaced olecranon fractures, a comparative study

Introduction Fractures of the olecranon are among the most common injuries involving the upper extremity and require operative intervention if displaced. The most commonly used method of fixation for this type of fracture is the AO tension band wiring, although the results of this technique have been generally good, still problems have occurred, including loss of fixation, nonunion, and high re-operation rate for hardware removal. Aim of the study To compare the results of treatment of displaced fractures of the olecranon using AO tension band wiring versus intramedullary screw with tension band. Materials and methods In a prospective study, 30 patients with transverse or oblique olecranon fractures, were randomly divided into two equal groups, one group treated using AO tension band wiring the other group using an intramedullary cancellous screw plus tension band. Results In the screw plus tension band group, 11 (73.3%) patients had excellent results, four (26.7%) had good results and none had fair or poor results, only one(6.6%) patient required second operation for removal of prominent hardware. In the AO tension band group, six (40%) patients had excellent results, five (33.3%) had good, three (20%) had fair and one (6.7%) patient had poor result, and eight patients (53.3%) required second operation for removal of prominent hardware. Conclusion Using an intramedullary screw combined with tension band in treatment of displaced transverse and oblique olecranon fractures gives better clinical results and has much less re-operation rate for removal of hardware when compared to AO tension band wire fixation, avoiding costs, work time loss and possible complications from hardware removal.