eMedicine Specialties > Orthopedic Surgery > Shoulder

Scapula Fracture: Multimedia

Author: Thomas P Goss, MD, Chief of Shoulder Surgery, Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Massachusetts Memorial Health Care
Coauthor(s): Robert V Cantu, MD, Staff Physician, Department of Orthopedics, University of Massachusetts Medical Center
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Dec 19, 2008

Multimedia

(Click Image to enlarge.) Classification of gleno...Media file 1: (Click Image to enlarge.) Classification of glenoid cavity fractures: IA - Anterior rim fracture; IB - Posterior rim fracture; II - Fracture line through the glenoid fossa exiting at the lateral border of the scapula; III - Fracture line through the glenoid fossa exiting at the superior border of the scapula; IV - Fracture line through the glenoid fossa exiting at the medial border of the scapula; VA - Combination of types II and IV; VB - Combination of types III and IV; VC - Combination of types II, III, and IV; VI - Comminuted fracture
(Click Image to enlarge.) Classification of gleno...

(Click Image to enlarge.) Classification of glenoid cavity fractures: IA - Anterior rim fracture; IB - Posterior rim fracture; II - Fracture line through the glenoid fossa exiting at the lateral border of the scapula; III - Fracture line through the glenoid fossa exiting at the superior border of the scapula; IV - Fracture line through the glenoid fossa exiting at the medial border of the scapula; VA - Combination of types II and IV; VB - Combination of types III and IV; VC - Combination of types II, III, and IV; VI - Comminuted fracture

Classification of glenoid neck fractures. Type I ...Media file 2: Classification of glenoid neck fractures. Type I includes all minimally displaced fractures. Type II includes all significantly displaced fractures (translational displacement greater than or equal to 1 cm; angulatory displacement greater than or equal to 40°)
Classification of glenoid neck fractures. Type I ...

Classification of glenoid neck fractures. Type I includes all minimally displaced fractures. Type II includes all significantly displaced fractures (translational displacement greater than or equal to 1 cm; angulatory displacement greater than or equal to 40°)

Superior shoulder suspensory complex. (A) anterop...Media file 3: Superior shoulder suspensory complex. (A) anteroposterior view of the bony/soft tissue ring and the superior and inferior bony struts; and (B) lateral view of the bony/soft tissue ring.
Superior shoulder suspensory complex. (A) anterop...

Superior shoulder suspensory complex. (A) anteroposterior view of the bony/soft tissue ring and the superior and inferior bony struts; and (B) lateral view of the bony/soft tissue ring.

Fixation of acromion fractures. (A) tension band ...Media file 4: Fixation of acromion fractures. (A) tension band construct; and (B) plate-screw fixation (most appropriate for proximal fractures).
Fixation of acromion fractures. (A) tension band ...

Fixation of acromion fractures. (A) tension band construct; and (B) plate-screw fixation (most appropriate for proximal fractures).

(Click Image to enlarge.) Scapular anatomy. Muscl...Media file 5: (Click Image to enlarge.) Scapular anatomy. Muscle origin and insertion.
(Click Image to enlarge.) Scapular anatomy. Muscl...

(Click Image to enlarge.) Scapular anatomy. Muscle origin and insertion.

Illustrations depicting fixation techniques avail...Media file 6: Illustrations depicting fixation techniques available for stabilization of fractures of the glenoid cavity. (1) interfragmentary compression screw; (2) Kirschner wires; (3) construct using Kirschner wires and cerclage wires or Kirschner wires and cerclage sutures; (4) cerclage wire or suture; (5) staple; and (6) 3.5-mm malleable reconstruction plate.
Illustrations depicting fixation techniques avail...

Illustrations depicting fixation techniques available for stabilization of fractures of the glenoid cavity. (1) interfragmentary compression screw; (2) Kirschner wires; (3) construct using Kirschner wires and cerclage wires or Kirschner wires and cerclage sutures; (4) cerclage wire or suture; (5) staple; and (6) 3.5-mm malleable reconstruction plate.

Fixation of glenoid neck fractures. (A) stabiliza...Media file 7: Fixation of glenoid neck fractures. (A) stabilization with a 3.5-mm malleable reconstruction plate (note the Kirschner wire running from the acromial process to the glenoid process that can be used for either temporary or permanent fixation); (B) stabilization with 3.5-mm cannulated interfragmentary screws; and (C) stabilization with Kirschner wires (in this case, Kirschner wires passed from the acromion and clavicle into the glenoid process).
Fixation of glenoid neck fractures. (A) stabiliza...

Fixation of glenoid neck fractures. (A) stabilization with a 3.5-mm malleable reconstruction plate (note the Kirschner wire running from the acromial process to the glenoid process that can be used for either temporary or permanent fixation); (B) stabilization with 3.5-mm cannulated interfragmentary screws; and (C) stabilization with Kirschner wires (in this case, Kirschner wires passed from the acromion and clavicle into the glenoid process).

Illustrations showing techniques for managing cor...Media file 8: Illustrations showing techniques for managing coracoid fractures. (A) interfragmentary screw fixation (if the fragment is sufficiently large and noncomminuted), and (B) excision of the distal fragment (if small and/or comminuted) and suture fixation of the conjoined tendon to the remaining coracoid process.
Illustrations showing techniques for managing cor...

Illustrations showing techniques for managing coracoid fractures. (A) interfragmentary screw fixation (if the fragment is sufficiently large and noncomminuted), and (B) excision of the distal fragment (if small and/or comminuted) and suture fixation of the conjoined tendon to the remaining coracoid process.

More on Scapula Fracture

Overview: Scapula Fracture
Workup: Scapula Fracture
Treatment: Scapula Fracture
Follow-up: Scapula Fracture
Multimedia: Scapula Fracture
References

References

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  2. Tadros AM, Lunsjo K, Czechowski J, Abu-Zidan FM. Multiple-region scapular fractures had more severe chest injury than single-region fractures: a prospective study of 107 blunt trauma patients. J Trauma. Oct 2007;63(4):889-93. [Medline].

  3. Baldwin KD, Ohman-Strickland P, Mehta S, Hume E. Scapula fractures: a marker for concomitant injury? A retrospective review of data in the national trauma database. J Trauma. Aug 2008;65(2):430-5. [Medline].

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  6. Ideberg R. Unusual glenoid fractures: a report on 92 cases. 1987;58:191-2.

  7. Goss TP. Fractures of the glenoid cavity. J Bone Joint Surg [Am]. Feb 1992;74(2):299-305. [Medline].

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  10. Kavanagh BF, Bradway JK, Cofield RH. Open reduction and internal fixation of displaced intra-articular fractures of the glenoid fossa. J Bone Joint Surg Am. Apr 1993;75(4):479-84. [Medline].

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  12. Goss TP. Double disruptions of the superior shoulder suspensory complex. J Orthop Trauma. 1993;7(2):99-106. [Medline].

  13. Herscovici D Jr, Fiennes AG, Allgower M. The floating shoulder: ipsilateral clavicle and scapular neck fractures. J Bone Joint Surg [Br]. May 1992;74(3):362-4. [Medline].

  14. Burke CS, Roberts CS, Nyland JA, Radmacher PG, Acland RD, Voor MJ. Scapular thickness--implications for fracture fixation. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. Sep-Oct 2006;15(5):645-8. [Medline].

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  16. Zlowodzki M, Bhandari M, Zelle BA, Kregor PJ, Cole PA. Treatment of scapula fractures: systematic review of 520 fractures in 22 case series. J Orthop Trauma. Mar 2006;20(3):230-3. [Medline].

  17. Butters KP. The scapula. In: The Shoulder. Vol 1. 1990:335-66.

  18. Goss TP. Fractures of the glenoid neck. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 1994;3:42-52.

  19. Goss TP. Glenoid fractures: Open reduction internal fixation. In: Master Techniques in Orthopaedic Surgery. 1998:3-17.

  20. Goss TP. The scapula: coracoid, acromial, and avulsion fractures. Am J Orthop. Feb 1996;25(2):106-15. [Medline].

  21. Miller ME, Ada JR. Fractures of the scapula, clavicle, and glenoid. In: Skeletal Trauma: Fractures, Dislocations, Ligamentous Injuries. Vol 2. 1992:1291-1310.

Further Reading

Keywords

scapula fracture, glenoid fracture, acromion fracture, coracoid fracture, scapulothoracic dissociation, double disruption of the superior shoulder suspensory complex

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Thomas P Goss, MD, Chief of Shoulder Surgery, Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Massachusetts Memorial Health Care
Thomas P Goss, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, Massachusetts Medical Society, and Orthopaedic Trauma Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Robert V Cantu, MD, Staff Physician, Department of Orthopedics, University of Massachusetts Medical Center
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Lynn A Crosby, MD, FACS, Chief of Shoulder Division, Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Wright State University School of Medicine
Lynn A Crosby, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American College of Sports Medicine, American College of Surgeons, American Fracture Association, American Medical Association, American Medical Tennis Association, American Orthopaedic Association, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, Arthroscopy Association of North America, Mid-America Orthopaedic Association, and Orthopaedic Research Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Managing Editor

Pekka A Mooar, MD, Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Temple University School of Medicine
Pekka A Mooar, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Dinesh Patel, MD, FACS, Associate Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School; Chief of Arthroscopic Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital
Dinesh Patel, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, American College of International Physicians, and American College of Surgeons
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Mary Ann E Keenan, MD, Professor, Vice Chair for Graduate Medical Education, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; Chief of Neuro-Orthopedics Program, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Mary Ann E Keenan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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