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Home > Specialties > Shoulder & Elbow > Elbow Conditions > Olecranon Fracture

Olecranon Fracture

An olecranon fracture is an injury to the most prominent bone of the elbow. People may call the olecranon the ‘funny bone.' The bone is actually the end of the ulna, one of the two forearm bones, and it is the attachment of the powerful triceps muscle of the arm. The triceps is the muscle that straightens the elbow, and olecranon fractures can impair a patient's ability to straighten the elbow joint.

Treatment

Treatment of an olecranon fracture depends on the amount of displacement of the fracture fragments and the function of the triceps muscle.

If the fracture is non-displaced, or minimally displaced, and the triceps muscle is able to extend the elbow, then surgery may not be necessary. In these cases, protected motion and time will generally heal the fracture. Otherwise, surgery of olecranon fractures is the usual treatment.

When is surgery necessary for an olecranon fracture?

When the bone fragments are out of position, or if the triceps muscle is detached, then surgery is usually necessary for treatment of an olecranon fracture. There are several ways to fix an olecranon fracture. An incision is made over the back of the elbow joint, and the bone fragments are repositioned into the proper location. Some combination of pins, wires, and/or screws may be used to secure the bone fragments in the proper position.

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