Objective: To investigate the clinical effect of double mini-locking plates in the treatment of ulna olecranon fractures.
Methods: From March 2017 to May 2020, 19 patients with olecranon fractures were treated with double mini locking plates, including 12 males and 7 females, aged from 20 to 75 years old with an average of (40.50±7.62) years old;10 patients had the injuries on the left side and 9 patients on the right side. All the 19 patients were fresh closed fractures without ulnar coronoid process fracture, elbow dislocation and other injuries. The fracture healing time and complications were recorded, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated by Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) before operation and 12 months after operation.
Results: All the 19 patientswas followed up, and the duration ranged from 12 to 17 months with an average of (13.51±3.17) months. Postoperative follow-up showed all fractures healed. Fracture healing time ranged from 2 to 6 months, with an average of(3.77±1.24) months. There was no internal fixation fracture, screw loosening, infection, internal fixation irritation, heterotopic ossification, elbow stiffness and other complications occurred. The MEPS score of affected elbow at 12 months after operation was 91.26±3.87, which was significantly different from that before operation 56.18±9.56 (P<0.05);according to Mayo Elbow function score standard, 11 cases were excellent, 7 cases were good, and 1 case was fair.
Conclusion: It is a reliable fixation method to treat olecranon fracture with double mini locking plate. The incision lengh is small and the fracture fixation is reliable. Elbow joint function exercise can be performed early after operation. Postoperative internal fixation has less skin irritation and satisfactory elbow joint function recovery.
Keywords: Fracture fixtaion, internal; Fractures; Olecranon process.