PAINFUL OLECRANON PHYSEAL NONUNION IN AN ADULT WEIGHT LIFTER - A CASE-REPORT

Only 3 cases of persistent olecranon physes in adults have been report ed previously in literature. In each case, physeal nonunion was presen t bilaterally and either unilateral, bipartite, or tripartite patellae were present. A case of painful unilateral physeal nonunion in an adu lt weight lifter is presented, The patient had begun competitive weigh t lifting when he was 14 years old. Radiographs of the contralateral o lecranon and patellae were normal. After failure of conservative treat ment, surgical union was achieved, using tension band wiring augmented with autologous iliac crest bone graft, The author proposes that unil ateral olecranon physeal nonunion has a mechanical etiology as opposed to a genetic etiology in individuals with bilateral physeal persisten ce, Surgical treatment in the former group is best delayed until after age 19, to allow adequate time for spontaneous union.