Results of the Surgical Treatment of Articular Scapular Fractures

Abstract

Introduction: Scapular fractures are rare injuries and are often associated with high-energy trauma, with joint fractures accounting for only 15% of all scapular fractures. Surgical treatment is indicated for fractures with large deviations and with joint instability. Objective: This study evaluates the clinical and functional results after surgical treatment of scapular fractures. Methods: Eight patients with scapular fractures were surgically treated between 2013 and 2019. For indication for surgical treatment, mediolateral deviations, glenopolar angle, angular deviations and joint deviations greater than 4 mm were taken into account. Radiographic results of consolidation, range of motion, functional score and visual analogue pain scale were obtained. Results: In the mean follow-up of twenty-nine months (13-40 months), all patients presented fracture consolidation. The mean UCLA score was 29 points (with 75% good results and 25% moderate results). Regarding the range of motion, the mean elevation was 146° (ranging from 110° to 60°), lateral rotation of 62° (36-80°) and medial rotation at the level of T7 (T6-T10). The final VAS mean was 2.3. All patients returned to the pre-injury level at work. Conclusion: In this series of cases, surgical treatment of scapular articular fractures provided satisfactory results with low rates of complications, showing to be an option in selected cases of deviated fractures. Level of Evidence IV, Case Series.

The Role of Arthroscopy in Contemporary Glenoid Fossa Fracture Fixation

“…Glenoid fossa fractures are less common, with a relevant rate of 10 to 29% of all scapula fractures [5,6]. This incidence makes this injury extremely rare, considering that scapula fractures represent only 1% of all body fractures and 3% of shoulder area fractures [7].…”