[Arthroscopic treatment of shoulder fractures]

Therapeutic options for shoulder joint fractures include conservative treatment or surgery, but indications for either treatment remain vague. Arthroscopic treatment of glenoid fractures and greater tuberosity fractures represents an alternative and allows anatomical reduction and reliable fixation with decreased soft tissue trauma. With this minimally invasive technique, large muscular dissections are avoided and postoperative recovery is shortened. This technique also allows a complete joint inspection and a more accurate diagnosis for associated injuries than conventional imaging methods. Arthroscopy is a useful diagnostic tool that may avoid underestimation of these associated injuries (labrum, rotator cuff tendons, cartilage) and is also helpful for treating these lesions in the same time. However, arthroscopic treatment of shoulder fractures needs a leaming curve depending on surgeon's experience in shoulder arthroscopy. At present, indications for arthroscopic treatment of shoulder fractures are limited to anterior or posterior glenoid rim fractures and some greater tuberosity fractures. This selection is best made using preoperative computed tomography and especially 2D reconstruction.