Spontaneous displacement of olecranon fracture through geode salvaged by elbow replacement

Rheumatol Int. 2010 Apr;30(6):785-7. doi: 10.1007/s00296-009-0984-6. Epub 2009 Jun 4.

Abstract

We present a case of pathological fracture of olecranon through a giant geode. Fracture was initially undisplaced and was treated conservatively. It later progressed to a transolecranon dislocation as a result of a pseudarthrosis at the fracture site. The patient presented 4 years later when she developed symptoms of ulnar nerve palsy. She was treated by a total elbow arthroplasty with ulnar nerve transposition. The current report highlights this unusual case and reviews the relevant literature.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / complications
  • Arthroplasty / methods*
  • Bone Cysts / diagnostic imaging
  • Bone Cysts / etiology
  • Bone Cysts / pathology*
  • Disease Progression
  • Elbow Joint / diagnostic imaging
  • Elbow Joint / pathology*
  • Elbow Joint / surgery
  • Female
  • Fractures, Bone / diagnostic imaging
  • Fractures, Bone / etiology
  • Fractures, Bone / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Joint Dislocations / diagnostic imaging
  • Joint Dislocations / etiology
  • Joint Dislocations / pathology*
  • Olecranon Process / diagnostic imaging
  • Olecranon Process / pathology*
  • Pseudarthrosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Pseudarthrosis / etiology
  • Pseudarthrosis / pathology
  • Radiography
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ulnar Nerve / pathology
  • Ulnar Nerve / physiopathology
  • Ulnar Nerve / surgery
  • Ulnar Neuropathies / etiology
  • Ulnar Neuropathies / physiopathology
  • Ulnar Neuropathies / surgery