Fractures of the scapula

Abstract

Summary Fractures of the scapula are uncommon and the majority of these involve the supraglenoid tubercle in young horses 2 years of age or less. Scapula fractures of the neck or body are rare. Comminuted scapula fractures have been diagnosed in racing breeds (Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses) and a review of the literature on the different fracture types and their management is presented in this article. The best prognosis for soundness is given for horses treated surgically. The different techniques for surgical management are described here and comments made with reference to nonsurgical management. A residual gait deficit may persist in some horses because of involvement of the suprascapular nerve at the time of injury, during surgery and follow‐up period, the severity of which depends on the degree of nerve trauma.

Supraglenoid tubercle fractures repair with transverse locking compression plates in 4 horses

“…Published reports of conservative management of SGT fractures were recently summarized by Auer and Furst: 10 of 19 horses managed conservatively were subsequently euthanized and only 1 horse was sound for pleasure riding. The remaining 7 horses were either pasture sound (4), lost to follow‐up (2), or 50% sound at work (1) …”

“…Treatment options for SGT fractures include conservative management, fragment removal or surgical reduction, lag screw fixation, and recently, plate fixation . Internal fixation may be combined with complete or partial tenotomy of the biceps brachii .…”

“…The prognosis for return to athletic function has been based on the small number of clinical cases. A small number of horses treated with lag screw fixation with a partial or complete biceps brachii tenotomy have returned to some form of athletic function . Lag screw fixation with or without a cranial tension band wire is technically demanding as long screws must be accurately directed in a craniocaudal direction, through a large mass of soft tissues, including the biceps muscle.…”

Evaluation of the optimal plate position for the fixation of supraglenoid tubercle fractures in warmbloods

“…There is very little literature available on the use of surgical plates to repair supraglenoid tubercle fractures (1)(2)(3). The equine scapula is a flat bone with a thin cortex, resulting in poor screw purchase, and the scapular neck is porous resulting in poor screw holding power (4)(5)(6).…”

Lag screw and tension band wire arthrodesis of the scapulohumeral joint in a miniature bull calf

“…To date, SHJ arthrodesis has been performed in horses using single or double bone plating (Auer and Fürst 2015). This technique requires extensive soft tissue dissection and disruption and a prolonged operating time.…”