Merck Manual

Please confirm that you are a health care professional

honeypot link

Isolated Olecranon Fractures

By

Danielle Campagne

, MD, University of California, San Francisco

Reviewed/Revised Dec 2022
View Patient Education
Topic Resources

Isolated olecranon fractures are usually due to a fall on an outstretched hand or a direct blow to the elbow. Avulsion fractures of the olecranon rarely occur when the triceps tendon pulls off a piece of the olecranon.

Symptoms and Signs of Isolated Olecranon Fractures

Patients present with pain, swelling, and tenderness of the olecranon; there may also be a deformity. Extension of the elbow is limited or impossible.

Diagnosis of Isolated Olecranon Fractures

  • Neurovascular examination

  • Imaging tests

Distal neurovascular examination is vital, because the ulnar nerve can be injured. Standard anteroposterior and lateral views of the elbow reveal most fractures, most obviously on the lateral view.

Treatment of Isolated Olecranon Fractures

  • Surgery

  • Long arm posterior splint

  • Antibiotics and orthopedic consultation (for open fractures)

Greater severity of displacement and/or comminution usually require operative management. The Mayo classification is commonly used to classify the degree of displacement, comminution, and stability (1 Treatment reference Isolated olecranon fractures are usually due to a fall on an outstretched hand or a direct blow to the elbow. Avulsion fractures of the olecranon rarely occur when the triceps tendon pulls off... read more Treatment reference ). Initial management for most cases is a long arm posterior splint and close orthopedic follow-up. Open fractures should be managed with immediate antibiotics and orthopedic consultation.

Treatment reference

  • 1. Sullivan CW, Desai K: Classifications in brief: Mayo classification of olecranon fractures. Clin Orthop Relat Res 477(4):908–910, 2019. doi: 10.1097/CORR.0000000000000614

View Patient Education
NOTE: This is the Professional Version. CONSUMERS: View Consumer Version
quiz link

Test your knowledge

Take a Quiz! 
iOS ANDROID
iOS ANDROID
iOS ANDROID
TOP