Clinical orthopaedics and related research
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Forty-three comminuted fractures of the proximal radius and ulna in 34 patients were treated with operative stabilization using AO/ASIF techniques. The patients were divided into three groups, according to the type of injury: Group I, isolated comminuted fractures of the olecranon (18 patients); Group II, isolated fractures of the radial head (eight patients); Group III, combined olecranon and radial head fractures (eight patients). All fractures were followed until union. ⋯ Each of these patients had delayed (more than 72 hours postinjury) stabilization. A functional elbow was achieved in 29 of the 32 patients who returned for follow-up examination. Operative stabilization of comminuted fractures of the proximal radius and ulna provides a stable painless joint with a functional, but not full, range of motion.