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. 2021 Sep 15;29(18):805-810.
doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-20-01293.

Incidence and Management of Articular Impaction in Geriatric Olecranon Fractures

Harsh Wadhwa  1 , L Henry Goodnough, Andrea K Finlay, Malcolm R DeBaun, Sean T Campbell, Garin Hecht, Justin F Lucas, Julius A Bishop, Michael J Gardner
Affiliations

Incidence and Management of Articular Impaction in Geriatric Olecranon Fractures

Harsh Wadhwa et al. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. .

Abstract

Introduction: Olecranon fractures are common in the elderly. Articular impaction is encountered occasionally, but the incidence and outcomes after treatment of this injury pattern have not been well characterized.

Methods: We evaluated a cohort of geriatric olecranon fractures to determine the incidence of articular impaction and describe a technique for open reduction and internal fixation.

Results: Of the 63 patients in our series, 31 had associated intraarticular impaction (49.2%). Patients with articular impaction did not have significantly different rates of postoperative complications (11/31, 35.5% versus 10/31, 32.3%; P = 1.00) or revision surgery (10/31, 32.3% versus 8/31, 25.8%; P = 0.780) compared with those without articular impaction.

Conclusion: Articular impaction is a common feature of geriatric olecranon fractures. Surgeons must maintain a high index of suspicion and have a surgical plan in place for managing this component of the injury.

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