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Clinical and functional results after floating shoulder injuries
Ludwig Labler1, Andreas Platz, Dominik Weishaupt
1Division of Trauma Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland. ludwig.labler@chi.usz.ch
The Journal of Trauma
|September 30, 2004
Summary
Treatment for floating shoulder injuries yields good results whether operative or nonoperative. Associated injuries significantly impact patient outcomes, guiding treatment decisions for optimal recovery.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Traumatology
Background:
- Floating shoulder is a rare injury with controversial treatment options due to limited patient data.
- Both surgical and non-surgical approaches have shown positive outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the outcomes of operative versus nonoperative treatment for floating shoulder injuries.
- To identify factors influencing treatment success in floating shoulder patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective evaluation of seventeen patients diagnosed with floating shoulder.
- Patients were categorized into nonoperative (eight) and operative (nine) treatment groups.
- Clinical examinations and standard shoulder radiographs were used for follow-up assessment.
Main Results:
- All fractures in both groups achieved healing.
- Good to excellent results were observed in five patients from the nonoperative group and five from the operative group.
- The presence and severity of associated injuries significantly affected patient outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Nonoperative management is recommended for nondisplaced or minimally displaced floating shoulder fractures.
- Operative intervention is advised for significantly displaced fractures, especially when complicated by severe associated injuries.