What is Olecranon?
When you bend your elbow, you can easily feel its “tip,” a bony prominence that extends from one of the lower arm bones (the ulna). That tip is called the olecranon.
The olecranon is a bony prominence at the top of the ulna bone in the forearm. Fractures or injuries to this area can cause significant pain and limited mobility.
What are the causes?
Olecranon fractures are caused by direct trauma or stress to the elbow joint. This type of injury is common in falls, sports, and motor vehicle accidents.
- A direct blow
- An indirect fractures
What are the symptoms?
- Sudden intense pain
- Inability to straighten elbow
- Bruising around the elbow
- Tenderness to the touch
- Numbness in one or more fingers
- Pain with movement of the joint
What are the treatment?
Treatment plan: Treatment for olecranon fractures depends on the severity of the injury. Non-displaced fractures can often be treated with immobilization and rest. Displaced fractures may require surgery to reposition the bone fragments and stabilize the area with pins, plates, or screws.
- Splinting
- Surgical treatment
