Comminuted fracture-dislocations of the elbow treated with an AO wrist fusion plate

Comminuted fracture-dislocations of the elbow are complex injuries that can result in significant postoperative loss of motion, Rigid anatomic fixatio n with early range of motion is the required treatment. Because of the loca l anatomy of the proximal ulna, it often is difficult to achieve a rigid fi xation construct. A fixation technique of a dorsally applied AO limited con tact-dynamic compression wrist fusion plate contoured to fit the anatomy of the proximal ulna is presented. Advantages of the AO wrist fusion plate in comminuted olecranon fractures include the ease of contouring, a low profi le, and the use of variable screw hole sizing to achieve stable fixation, T he hybrid design allows for rigid 3.5-mm plate fixation distally while prov iding low profile 2.7-mm plate fixation over the subcutaneous olecranon, Th e technical and bio-mechanical features of this plate make it an ideal alte rnative for fixation of these complex injuries.