Tension band wire fixation continues to be the most popular method of fixation for displaced olecranon fractures despite several biomechanical studies questioning the validity of the tension band concept. Our aim was to compare the outcome of the tension band wire (TBW) method with plate fixation. 58 consecutive olecranon fractures underwent internal fixation in 58 patients between September 2000 and December 2004. There were 30 male and 28 female with a mean age at the time of surgery of 52.5 years for the TBW group (range 19 to 88) and 46.1 for the plate group (range 19 to 72). Patients were excluded if they were less than 16 years of age. Choice of fixation was based on surgeon preference, fracture pattern and presence of associated injuries. 43 patients were managed with the AO tension band technique and 15 with plate fixation. Clinical assessment and functional analysis was performed using Helm’s scoring system. Radiographic assessment was performed to assess the quality of reduction. All fractures were displaced and classified according to Colton’s classification. Mean follow up was 13 months (range 6 to 18) and similar for the two groups. For the TBW group 41 (95 %) had a fair or good result. 27 (62.8%) patients had symptomatic metal prominence requiring implant removal. In the plate fixation group 14 (94%) had a fair or good functional result despite having more complex fractures. Only 2 (18%) patients required implant removal for symptomatic metalwork, including one failure due to a technical problem. Similar functional results were seen with plating and tension band wiring of displaced olecranon fractures. Despite meticulous technique, tension band wire fixation still has an unacceptably high complication rate with symptomatic metal prominence requiring further surgery. To avoid this problem, we recommend plating, even for the more simple olecranon fractures.