Functional treatment of displaced olecranon fractures in patients older than 70 years old

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Gerardo Gallucci
Nicolas Piuzzi
Pablo Slullitel
Jorge Guillermo Boretto
Veronica Alfie
Agustin Donndorff
Pablo De Carli

Abstract

ObjectiveTo report the clinical and radiological outcomes of the functional treatment for displaced olecranon fractures in patients >70 years old.MethodsTwenty-eight patients >70 years old with displaced olecranon fractures were evaluated. The treatment included initial immobilization with a cast (average time 5 days) and then active movement as tolerated. Physiotherapy was not indicated. No patients were lost in the follow-up. The study group included 27 women and a man. Average age was 82 years old. According to the Mayo Clinic Classification, 18 fractures were type IIA and 10 were type IIB. Average follow-up was 14 months.ResultsFlexion-extension was of 142°-15°. Muscular strength of the triceps was M5 in 17 patients and M4 in 9. Grip strength was 93% of the contralateral side. The score in the visual analogue scale for pain was 1. Satisfaction with the treatment according to this scale was 9. According to the Mayo Clinic classification, 22 patients presented excellent results, and 6 good results. Average DASH score was 15. Twenty-four patients evolved to a nonunion. Mean final joint gap was 16 mm. Mean final gap at the posterior cortical level of the olecranon was 22 mm. Tratamiento funcional de fracturas desplazadas de olécranon en pacientes mayores de 70 años.ConclusionFunctional treatment of displaced olecranon fractures in patients >70 years old is associated with a high degree of goods results and patient satisfaction

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How to Cite
Gallucci, G., Piuzzi, N., Slullitel, P., Boretto, J. G., Alfie, V., Donndorff, A., & De Carli, P. (2015). Functional treatment of displaced olecranon fractures in patients older than 70 years old. Revista De La Asociación Argentina De Ortopedia Y Traumatología, 80(2), 76-84. https://doi.org/10.15417/304
Section
Clinical Research

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