Elbow Fracture Surgery

Description

Surgery to treat an olecranon, or elbow, fracture is usually necessary when the fracture is displaced (out of place) or the fracture is open (bone has pierced the skin). The surgeon will typically make an incision over the back of the elbow and then put the pieces of bone back together. There are several ways to hold the pieces of bone in place, including pins, screws, plates or stitches. If some of the bone is missing or crushed beyond repair, the fracture may require bone filler. Bone filler can be bone supplied by the patient or bone from a bone bank, or an artificial calcium-containing material. The incision is typically closed with sutures or staples. Sometimes, a splint is placed on the arm, but not always.