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

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Abstract

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.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedics, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, NO.168 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200433, People’s Republic of China

    Xiao Chen, Peng Liu, Xiaofei Zhu, Liehu Cao, Chuncai Zhang & Jiacan Su

Authors
  1. Xiao Chen
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  2. Peng Liu
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  3. Xiaofei Zhu
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  4. Liehu Cao
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  5. Chuncai Zhang
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  6. Jiacan Su
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jiacan Su.

Additional information

Xiao Chen, Peng Liu and Xiaofei Zhu contributed equally to this work.

This study was authorized by the hospital ethics committee. The patients included all signed informed consent documents with the presence of a third party.

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Chen, X., Liu, P., Zhu, X. et al. Design and application of Nickel-Titanium olecranon memory connector in treatment of olecranon fractures: a prospective randomized controlled trial. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 37, 1099–1105 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-013-1878-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-013-1878-5

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