Comparison of intramedullary fixation techniques in the maintenance of functional anatomy of the elbow after fixation of the proximal ulna.

The objective of this study was to compare intramedullary (IM) nail and IM screw fixation for reattachment of the proximal ulna. Preserved elbow anatomy served as the primary outcome and was defined as the distance between the coronoid process and the olecranon. A retrospective cohort study of 31 patients treated with IM fixation of the proximal ulna was performed. Radiographs were used to compare displacement distances between the coronoid process and the olecranon, with average follow-up of approximately 5 months. IM nail fixation corresponded to a mean displacement of -0.65 mm between the olecranon and coronoid process, versus 0.23 mm for IM screw fixation. No patients were identified with loss of reduction of bone fragments. Both IM fixation techniques maintained the functional anatomy of the elbow. Minimal displacement of bone fragments and no identified loss of reduction suggest that both techniques could be reasonable alternatives to more traditional approaches.