OLECRANON STRESS FRACTURES
OVERVIEW
An olecranon stress fracture occurs when the elbow experiences extreme abuse and overuse. While anyone can suffer this injury, athletes (especially ones who throw frequently) are the most common group of people to get olecranon stress fractures. Most cases can be healed solely through nonsurgical treatments, but if all nonsurgical options have been exhausted and little to no pain relief has occurred, surgery may be necessary.
ANATOMY
The elbow joint is where the upper arm bone (humerus) meets the two forearm bones (radius and ulna). The bony point of the elbow is called the olecranon and is located at the upper end of the ulna. It consists of several muscles, ligaments, nerves, and tendons, and is both a pivot and hinge joint, meaning it allows you to bend and straighten, as well as twist and rotate your arm. It is also positioned directly under the elbow skin with very little protection from muscles or other soft tissues.
Thick ligaments (collateral ligaments) are located on the inner and outer sides of the elbow and hold the joint together and prevents dislocation. The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) can be found on the inside of the elbow. It runs from the inner side of the humerus to the inner side of the ulna. The ulnar nerve crosses behind the elbow and controls the muscles of the hand while providing sensation to the small and ring fingers.
DESCRIPTION
An olecranon stress fracture is when the bony tip of the elbow is fractured due to stress. This type of fracture is typically caused by the overuse and abuse of the elbow, and is commonly found in athletes who apply extreme pressure on the elbow, such as baseball players. Although most common in athletes, an olecranon stress fracture can happen to anyone. When the elbow is not given enough time to recover after experiencing large amounts of stress, it begins to deteriorate and become weak. Over time, this weakening can result in an olecranon stress fracture.
SYMPTOMS
The symptoms commonly seen in olecranon fractures include:
- Pain with movement of the elbow or with the rotation of the forearm.
- Swelling over the “tip” or back of the elbow.
- Bruising around the elbow that may also travel up the arm towards the shoulder or down the forearm towards the wrist.
- Tenderness to the touch.
- Numbness in one or more fingers.
- Pain with movement of the elbow or with the rotation of the forearm.
- A feeling of instability in the joint, as if your elbow is going to “pop out.”
DIAGNOSIS
Your Florida Orthopaedic Institute physician will perform a physical examination to determine if you have fractured your olecranon. During the exam, your physician will check for the following:
- Areas of Tenderness. These areas could indicate other broken bones or injuries, such as a dislocated elbow.
- Good Blood Flow. Blood flow will determine if any damage was done to the veins.
- Finger and Wrist movement. These movements will determine if any damage was done to the nerves.
X-rays will also be ordered to help diagnose the fracture. X-rays provide images of dense structures, such as bones, which will show if the break is in the bone. Depending on your symptoms, your physician may also order x-rays of your upper arm, forearm, shoulder, wrist, and/or hand to determine if you have any other injuries.
TREATMENT (OVERVIEW)
Both surgical and nonsurgical options are available to treat olecranon fractures. Surgical treatment is only chosen if all nonsurgical options have been exhausted.
NON-SURGICAL TREATMENTS
Rest is the most common and useful treatment option. Preventing the elbow from experiencing stress will allow for the fracture to heal in approximately six to nine weeks. If the pain is still present after nine weeks, surgical treatment may be needed.
SURGICAL PROCEDURES/TREATMENTS
Surgical treatment for olecranon stress fractures is usually recommended when nonsurgical treatments have been exhausted, and pain is still present. The most frequently used procedure to treat an olecranon stress fracture is open reduction and internal fixation. During this procedure, the bones are repositioned into their normal alignment. They are held in place with screws, wires, pins, or metal plates attached to the outside of the bone.
NEXT STEPS
Once the fracture itself has been healed, arm strength will need to be regained which often takes longer than expected. Most patients will make a complete return to their normal activities within four months. Some patients may take more than a year to recover fully. Recovery time depends on the patient and the severity of their injury. Occasionally, some patients may experience limitations in movement, even if the x-rays show that the fracture has healed completely. These patients will usually continue to improve over time.
Areas of Focus
- Elbow
- Arthroscopic Debridement of the Elbow
- Aspiration of the Olecranon Bursa
- Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
- Elbow Bursitis
- Elbow Injuries in Throwing Athletes
- Golfer's Elbow
- Growth Plate Injuries Of The Elbow
- Hyperextension Injury of the Elbow
- LITTLE LEAGUER'S ELBOW (MEDIAL APOPHYSITIS)
- Olecranon Stress Fractures
- Tennis Elbow
- Triceps Tendonitis
- UCL (Ulnar Collateral Ligament) Injuries
- Valgus Extension Overload
The following Florida Orthopaedic Institute physicians specialize in Olecranon Stress Fracture :
Specialties
- Achilles Tendinitis - Achilles Insertional Calcific Tendinopathy (ACIT)
- Achilles Tendon Rupture
- Achilles Tendonitis
- ACL Injuries
- ALIF: Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion Surgery
- Ankle Fracture Surgery
- Ankle Fractures (Broken Ankle)
- Ankle Fusion
- Arthritis & Adult Reconstruction Surgery
- Arthroscopic Chondroplasty
- Arthroscopic Debridement of the Elbow
- Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair
- Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR)
- Aspiration of the Olecranon Bursa
- Avascular Necrosis (Osteonecrosis)
- Back Surgery Types
- Bankart Repair
- Basal Joint Surgery
- Bicep Tendon Tear
- Bicep Tenodesis
- Bioinductive Implant
- Broken Collarbone
- Bunions
- Bursitis of the Shoulder (Subacromial Bursitis)
- Calcific Tendinitis of the Shoulder
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- CARTIVA® Implant For Big Toe Joint Arthritis
- Charcot Joint
- Chiropractic
- Colles’ Fractures (Broken Wrist)
- Community Outreach
- ConforMIS Knee Replacement
- Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
- De Quervain's Tenosynovitis
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH)
- Discitis
- Dislocated Shoulder
- Dupuytren’s Disease
- Elbow
- Elbow Bursitis
- Elbow Injuries in Throwing Athletes
- Epidural Injections for Spinal Pain
- Finger Dislocation
- Flexor Tendonitis
- Foot, Ankle & Lower Leg
- Fractures Of The Shoulder Blade (Scapula)
- Fractures Of The Tibial Spine
- Functional Nerve Transfers of The Hand
- Ganglion Cysts
- General Orthopedics
- Glenoid Labrum Tear
- Golfer's Elbow
- Growth Plate Injuries Of The Elbow
- Hallux Rigidus - Cheilectomy
- Hand & Finger Replantation
- Hand & Upper Extremity
- Hand & Wrist
- Hand Nerve Decompression
- Hand Skin Grafts
- Hip & Thigh
- Hip Arthroscopy
- Hip Dislocation
- Hip Flexor Strains
- Hip Fractures
- Hip Hemiarthroplasty
- Hip Muscle Strains
- Hyperextension Injury of the Elbow
- Iliotibial Band Syndrome
- Interventional Pain Management
- Interventional Spine
- Intraarticular Calcaneal Fracture
- Knee & Leg
- Kyphosis
- Labral Tears Of The Hip (Acetabular Labrum Tears)
- Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) Injuries
- Lisfranc Injuries
- LITTLE LEAGUER'S ELBOW (MEDIAL APOPHYSITIS)
- MACI
- MAKO Knee Replacement Surgery
- MAKO Total Hip Replacement
- Mallet, Hammer & Claw Toes
- Medial Collateral Ligament Injuries
- Meniscus Tears
- Metatarsalgia
- Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
- Morton’s Neuroma
- Muscle Spasms
- NAVIO Surgical System
- Nerve Pain
- Neuromas (Foot)
- Olecranon Stress Fractures
- Orthopaedic Total Wellness
- Orthopedic Trauma
- Osteoarthritis of the Hip
- Osteoporosis
- Outpatient Spine Surgery
- Partial Knee Replacement
- Patellar Fracture
- Pelvic Ring Fractures
- Peripheral Nerve Surgery (Hand) Revision
- Pinched Nerve
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Podiatrist or Orthopaedic Physician?
- Primary Care Orthopedics Sports Medicine
- PROstep™ Minimally Invasive Surgery for Bunions
- Quadriceps Tendon Tear
- Revascularization of the Hand
- Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement
- Revision Knee Surgery
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) of the Shoulder
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Of The Hand
- Robotics
- ROSA® Knee Robotic Surgical Assistant
- Sciatica
- Scoliosis
- Senior Strong
- Shin Splints
- Shoulder
- Shoulder Arthritis
- Shoulder Arthroscopy
- Shoulder Replacement
- Shoulder Socket Fracture (Glenoid Fracture)
- SLAP Tears & Repairs
- Spinal Fusion
- Spine
- Spondylolisthesis and Spondylolysis
- Sports Hernias (Athletic Pubalgia)
- Sports Medicine
- Sprained Ankle
- Sudden (Acute) Finger, Hand & Wrist Injuries
- Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (TMR)
- Tendon Transfers of The Hand
- Tennis Elbow
- Thigh Fractures
- Thigh Muscle Strains
- Total Ankle Replacement
- Total Hip Arthroplasty
- Total Hip Replacement - Anterior Approach
- Total Knee Replacement
- Triceps Tendonitis
- Trigger Finger
- UCL (Ulnar Collateral Ligament) Injuries
- Ulnar Neuritis
- Valgus Extension Overload
- Verilast
- Vertebroplasty
- WALANT (Wide Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet)
- Whiplash and Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD)
- Wrist Arthroscopy
- Wrist Fractures
- Wrist Sprains
- Wrist Tendonitis