Displaced olecranon fractures in the elderly: outcomes after non-operative treatment – a narrative review

Abstract

Operative treatment with tension band wiring or plate is the gold standard of care for displaced olecranon fractures. In elderly patients, multiple comorbidities combine with increased intraoperative risks, and postoperative complications may yield poor results. There are small series in the literature that show promising results with non-operative treatment. Non-operative treatment may provide reasonable function and satisfaction in the elderly population and could be considered as a treatment option in this group, especially for those with comorbidities, to avoid postoperative complications and the need for re-operation. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:391-397. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.190041