Elbow Nonunion - Real Post

I had a bicycle accident, 6 months ago, where the elbow became very swollen, painful and unable to extend against gravity.

The xrays showed a detached olecranon with some healing of the bone ends indicating that a previous fracture, 30 years ago, had
separated in the past , also the tbw (wire loop) from that fracture was broken.

The fracture was fixed with two k-wire and tbw and kept in plaster for six weeks.

Xrays taken after 5 months showed the bone still hadn't healed and i'm told that isn't surprising because of the previously detached fracture.


The k-wires are due to be removed in a few months time but the tbw will remain, I think to allow a smaller incision.

I have been told that the soft tissue will provide support to the joint even if the fragment separates.

I raised the question about a bone graft and was told that it wasn't necessary because I had a functional arm, my current range of
movement is about 45 deg to 130 deg - close to what I had before the latest fracture, although I think the extension is more lacking.


I wonder if it acceptable to leave the elbow in that condition for a 51 year old man who is very active in cycling, running and keeps fit with home weight training. I'm now thinking of getting a second opinion.


Any ideas or similiar experiences.