A review of thirty-five patients who had a fracture of the coronoid
process of the ulna revealed three types of fracture: Type I--avulsion of
the tip of the process; Type II--a fragment involving 50 per cent of the
process, or less; and Type III--a fragment involving more than 50 per cent
of the process. A concurrent dislocation or associated fracture was present
in 14, 56, and 80 per cent of these patients, respectively. The outcome
correlated well with the type of fracture. According to an objective
elbow-performance index used to assess the results for the thirty-two
patients who had at least one year of follow-up (mean, fifty months), 92
per cent of the patients who had a Type-I fracture, 73 per cent who had a
Type-II fracture, and 20 per cent who had a Type-III fracture had a
satisfactory result. Residual stiffness of the joint was most often present
in patients who had a Type-III fracture. We recommend early motion within
three weeks after injury for patients who have a Type-I or Type-II
fracture. Reduction and fixation, followed by early motion when possible,
may be the preferred treatment for patients who have a Type-III
fracture.