Design and application of Nickel-Titanium olecranon memory connector in treatment of olecranon fractures: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: We carried out this study to test the efficacy of the olecranon memory connector (OMC) in olecranon fractures. Methods: We designed a prospective randomised controlled trial involving 40 cases of olecranon fractures. From May 2004 to December 2009, 40 patients with olecranon fractures were randomly assigned into two groups. Twenty patients were treated with OMC, while another 20 patients were fixed with locking plates in our hospital. The DASH score, MEP score, range of motion and radiographs were used to evaluate the postoperative elbow function and complications. Results: For MEP score, OMC was better than the locking plate; for DASH score, complication rate, and range of elbow motion, the two methods presented no significant difference. Conclusion: The study showed that OMC could be an effective alternative to treat olecranon fractures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]