Comparison of two fixation techniques of olecranon osteotomy after reconstruction of intra-articular distal humerus fractures

Q: How were the two fixation techniques defined in the study?

Group A used 6.5 mm cancellous intramedullary screw alone, while group B used cerclage wire over a cancellous screw in a figure-of-eight configuration as tension band wiring (TBW).

Q: What were the main findings regarding radiological union and functional outcome?

Radiological union was achieved in all cases in both groups, while functional outcome was significantly better in group A than in group B (P < 0.05).

Q: Which scoring systems were used to evaluate outcomes?

Functional outcomes were assessed with the Mayo Elbow Performance Score and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) score at one year.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by 4398046744996

Accurate fixation of intra-articular distal humerus fractures often requires olecranon osteotomy, yet the optimal method remains unsettled. This retrospective study compared functional and radiological outcomes between two fixation approaches after reconstructing intra-articular fractures: 6.5 mm cancellous intramedullary screw alone versus cancellous screw combined with cerclage wiring applied as tension band wiring. Patients were assessed at one year using Mayo Elbow Performance Score and QuickDASH, with radiological union evaluated across groups.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

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| W | J | O | World Journal of
Orthopedics | | --- | --- | --- | --- | Submit a Manuscript: [https://www.f6publishing.com](https://www.f6publishing.com) World J Orthop 2025 December 18; 16(12): 111460 DOI: 10.5312/wjo.v16.i12.111460 ISSN 2218-5836 (online) ORIGINAL ARTICLE Retrospective Study Comparison of two fixation techniques of olecranon osteotomy after reconstruction of intra-articular distal humerus fractures Faaiz Ali Shah, Aimal Sattar, Javed Iqbal Specialty type: Orthopedics Provenance and peer review: Invited article; Externally peer reviewed. Peer-review model: Single blind Peer-review report’s classification Scientific Quality: Grade C, Grade D, Grade D Novelty: Grade D, Grade D, Grade D Creativity or Innovation: Grade C, Grade D, Grade D Scientific Significance: Grade C, Grade D, Grade D P-Reviewer: Deng YS, MD, PhD, Chief Physician, China; Yang FC, MD, PhD, Chief Physician, Professor, China Received: July 1, 2025 Revised: August 7, 2025 Accepted: October 23, 2025 Published online: December 18, 2025 Processing time: 170 Days and 14.3 Hours Faaiz Ali Shah, Aimal Sattar, Javed Iqbal, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar Pakistan, Peshawar 24100, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan Co-corresponding authors: Aimal Sattar and Javed Iqbal. Corresponding author: Aimal Sattar, Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar Pakistan, Street 1 Near Khyber Bazar, Peshawar 24100, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, [Pakistan.](Pakistan. draimalsattar@gmail.com)[ draimalsattar@gmail.com](Pakistan. draimalsattar@gmail.com) Abstract BACKGROUND Accurate surgical fixation of intra-articular distal humerus fractures require olecranon osteotomy. Repair of osteotomy is achieved with a variety of techniques but no consensus has been achieved regarding the optimum technique for fixing the olecranon osteotomy. In this retrospective study, we compared the functional and radiological outcome of the two commonly used techniques of fixing olecranon osteotomy after fixing distal humerus intra-articular fractures. We hypothesized that olecranon osteotomy fixed with 6.5 mm cancellous intramedullary screw alone yielded better radiological and functional outcome than fixation with cerclage wire over cancellous screw applied in figure of eight as tension band wiring (TBW) . AIM To determine the radiological and functional outcome of olecranon osteotomy fixation with cancellous screw alone vs cancellous screw combined with cerclage wiring applied as TBW. METHODS This retrospective study was conducted in Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar Pakistan. Intra-articular distal humerus fractures fulfilling the inclusion criteria and operated during 2023 to 2025 were included. Olecranon osteotomy fixation with 6.5 mm cancellous screw alone was labelled as group A while cerclage wire over cancellous screw in figure of eight as TBW were labelled as group B. The demographics, radiological and functional outcome in both groups were compared at one year using Mayo Elbow Performance Score and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Score. WJO [https://www.wjgnet.com](https://www.wjgnet.com) 1 December 18, 2025 Volume 16 Issue 12 Shah FA et al. Intramedullary screw fixation of olecranon osteotomy RESULTS We included 32 patients in this study. The mean age of group A patients was 34 ± 5.5 years while group B had a mean age of 34 ± 6.2 years. Radiological union of olecranon osteotomy was achieved in all cases in both groups. Functional outcome however was significantly better in group A than in group B (P < 0.05) . The Mayo Elbow Performance Score was excellent in 14 (87.5%) and good in 2 (12.5%) patients in group A while 7 (43.47%) patients had excellent outcome, 5 (31.25%) good and 4 (25%) had fair outcome in group B. The mean Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Score was 24.5 ± 2.1 and 78.1 ± 12.1 in gr

FAQs

What was the purpose of this retrospective study?

To determine the radiological and functional outcome of olecranon osteotomy fixation using a cancellous screw alone versus cancellous screw combined with cerclage wiring as tension band wiring.

How were the two fixation techniques defined in the study?

Group A used 6.5 mm cancellous intramedullary screw alone, while group B used cerclage wire over a cancellous screw in a figure-of-eight configuration as tension band wiring (TBW).

What were the main findings regarding radiological union and functional outcome?

Radiological union was achieved in all cases in both groups, while functional outcome was significantly better in group A than in group B (P < 0.05).

Which scoring systems were used to evaluate outcomes?

Functional outcomes were assessed with the Mayo Elbow Performance Score and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) score at one year.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by 4398046744996