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TBW vs Plating in Olecranon Fractures

Tension Band Wire Fixation Versus Plating for Simple Displaced Olecranon Fractures: A Long-Term Prospective Randomized Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05754320
Enrollment
50
Registered
2023-03-03
Start date
2012-11-10
Completion date
2017-11-01
Last updated
2023-03-03

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Olecranon Fracture

Brief summary

Background: While the tension band wiring (TBW) technique is commonly used for simple, displaced olecranon fractures, it is associated with complications such as hardware prominence. To date, studies comparing between the efficacy and safety of TBW and plate fixation for these fractures have not provided a conclusive answer. Purposes: To investigate which of the two techniques provide better functional and radiological outcomes for simple displaced Mayo type 2A olecranon fractures, Which technique provides better patient-reported outcomes, What are the complication rates associated with each technique

Detailed description

Background: While the tension band wiring (TBW) technique is commonly used for simple, displaced olecranon fractures, it is associated with complications such as hardware prominence. To date, studies comparing between the efficacy and safety of TBW and plate fixation for these fractures have not provided a conclusive answer. Purposes: To investigate which of the two techniques provide better functional and radiological outcomes for simple displaced Mayo type 2A olecranon fractures, Which technique provides better patient-reported outcomes, What are the complication rates associated with each technique Methods: A long-term, prospective, randomized study on 50 adult patients who underwent surgery to treat acute, simple, displaced olecranon fractures in a Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery Unit at a tertiary care center between November 2012 and October 2017. Patients were randomized on a 1:1 basis to either tension band or plate fixation and were evaluated at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery. Evaluation of long-term complications continued after 1 year as clinically indicated. The primary outcome measure was the 1-year postoperative Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score. Additional outcome measures included patient-reported Oxford elbow score, functional (i.e., range of motion) and radiographic assessments and complication rates.

Interventions

DEVICETension band wire fixation

Tension band wire fixation

Tension band wire fixation

Sponsors

Assaf-Harofeh Medical Center
Lead SponsorOTHER_GOV

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. traumatic non-pathological simple olecranon fracture 2. age 18 years or older 3. presentation within 2 weeks of injury.

Exclusion criteria

1. inability to sign an informed consent 2. inability to comply with follow-up 3. associated elbow fractures 4. open fractures 5. pregnancy.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score1 year1-year postoperative patient reported Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score. Scale - 0 (no disability) to 100 (most severe disability)

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Oxford elbow score1 year1-year postoperative patient-reported Oxford elbow score. Scale - 0 (worst elbow functional score) to 48 (normal elbow functional score)
Union rate1 yearUnion rate
Complication rate>1 yearLong term complication rate

Countries

Israel

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026