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This is a Study to Find Out Whether Surgery Using a Metal Plate to Fix a Broken Elbow in Older Adults Leads to Better Recovery and Arm Function Compared to Non-surgical Treatment
Sponsor: Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona
Summary
This study takes place in one hospital and uses a random method to divide patients into groups. It looks at the best way to treat a broken elbow (specifically, a displaced olecranon fracture) in older adults who don't use their arms heavily. There are 84 patients in total, with 42 people in each group
Official title: Treatment of Olecranon Fractures in the Elderly, a Randomised Controlled Trial Comparing Surgical and Conservative Treatment
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
65 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
84
Start Date
2026-02-03
Completion Date
2030-02-03
Last Updated
2026-02-10
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Open reduction and plate osteosynthesis
A cut is made along the back of the elbow to reach the broken bone. The surgeon carefully moves tissues aside and protects nearby nerves. The broken bone is cleaned, realigned, and held in place with a special metal plate and screws. This helps support the bone, especially in older patients with fragile bones. The surgeon checks the placement using live X-ray and moves the arm to ensure stability. The area is then closed with stitches, bandaged, and sometimes supported with a light splint. Recovery starts early, with gentle exercises to regain movement while protecting the repair.
Conservative treatment with early mobilisation
Conservativel treatment usually involves wearing a sling or light support for about two weeks to manage pain. After that, the patient begins gentle, supervised arm movements to prevent stiffness and muscle loss. As the pain improves, exercises become more active and focused on regaining strength. The goal is to let the bone heal while keeping the elbow working well.
Locations (1)
EOC - Orthopaedics and Traumatology Service
Lugano, Switzerland