elbow fracture in Tunisia

Definition of Elbow Fracture

$elbow fracture tunisia price affordable$ An olecranon fracture is a break in the bony "tip" of the elbow. This pointed bone segment is part of the ulna, one of the three bones that come together to form the elbow joint. The olecranon is positioned directly under the skin of the elbow, with little protection from muscles or other soft tissues. It can break easily if you experience a direct blow to the elbow or fall on an outstretched arm. A fracture can be very painful and make elbow movement difficult or impossible. Treatment for an olecranon fracture depends on the severity of the injury. Some simple fractures can be treated by wearing a splint until the bone heals. In most olecranon fractures, however, the pieces of bone move out of place when the injury occurs. For these fractures, surgery is necessary to restore both the normal anatomy of the elbow and the movement of the joint.

Elbow Anatomy

Your elbow is a joint made up of three bones:
The humerus (upper arm bone)
The radius (forearm bone on the thumb side)
The ulna (forearm bone on the pinky side)
The elbow joint bends and straightens like a hinge. It is also important for forearm rotation; that is, the ability to turn your palm up (like accepting change from a cashier) or palm down (like typing or playing the piano).
The elbow is made up of portions of the three bones:
The distal humerus is the lower end of the humerus. It forms the upper part of the elbow and is the spool around which the forearm bends and straightens.
The radial head is the knobby end of the radius where it meets the elbow. It slides up and down the front of the distal humerus when you bend your arm and rotates around the ulna when you turn your wrist up or down.
The olecranon is the part of the ulna that "cups" the lower end of the humerus, creating a hinge for elbow movement. The bony "tip" of the olecranon can be easily felt under the skin because it is covered by only a thin layer of tissue.
The elbow is held together by its bony architecture, as well as ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Three major nerves cross the elbow joint.

Non-Surgical Treatment of Elbow Fracture

If the bone pieces are not displaced (moved out of place), a fracture can sometimes be treated with a splint to hold the elbow in place during healing. During the healing process, your doctor will take frequent X-rays to ensure the bone has not moved out of place. Splints are typically worn for 6 weeks before gentle movement begins. If the fracture shifts position during this time, you may need surgery to put the bones back together.

Surgical Treatment of Elbow Fracture

Surgery is usually necessary for olecranon fractures in which:
The bones have moved out of place (displaced fracture)
Bone pieces have pierced the skin (open fracture)
Surgery for olecranon fractures typically involves putting the broken bone pieces back into position and preventing them from moving until they are healed.
Due to the increased risk of infection, open fractures are scheduled for surgery as soon as possible, usually within hours. Patients are given antibiotics intravenously (IV) in the emergency room and may receive a tetanus shot. During surgery, the cuts from the injury and the surfaces of the broken bone are thoroughly cleaned. The bone will usually be repaired during the same surgery.

Surgical Procedures

Open Reduction and Internal Fixation. This is the procedure most often used to treat olecranon fractures. During the procedure, the bone fragments are first repositioned (reduced) into their normal alignment. The bone pieces are then held in place with screws, wires, pins, or metal plates attached to the outside of the bone. Some common methods of internal fixation are shown below:
Bone Graft: If some of the bone has been lost through the wound or is crushed, the fracture may require a bone graft to fill the gaps. The bone graft can be taken from a donor (allograft) or from another bone in your own body (autograft), most often the hip. In some cases, an artificial material may be used.
Removal of Fracture Fragment: If the broken bone fragment is too small to be repaired, it is sometimes removed. When this is done, the triceps tendon, which is attached to the fragment, is reattached to the remaining portion of the ulna.