Comparison of early fixation and delayed reconstruction after displacement in previously nondisplaced acromion...

Scapular fractures account for approximately 1% of all fractures, and 8% to 10% are acromion fractures. We compared the results of early and delayed treatment for nondisplaced and type III acromion fractures, respectively, to investigate an early treatment method for nondisplaced acromion fractures. Patients treated between March 1999 and March 2006 with 2-year follow-up were selected for the study. The early fixation group comprised 16 patients, and the delayed reconstruction group comprised 18 patients. Moreover, the delayed reconstruction group was further divided into 2 additional groups: delayed group B and delayed group N. Delayed group B comprised 7 cases receiving bone graft, and delayed group N comprised 11 cases not receiving bone graft. Mean Constant scores were significantly greater for the early fixation group (92+/-6.6; range, 64-98) than for both delayed groups N (86+/-7.8; range, 54-96) and B (81+/-9.4; range, 58-92) (P=.042 and .024, respectively). Mean pain score was 14+/-4.8 (range, 5-15) in the early fixation group, 12+/-7.4 (range, 5-15) in delayed group N, and 9+/-8.8 (range, 5-15) in delayed group B (P=.052 and .018, respectively). Mean daily activity score was also significantly greater in the early fixation group (19+/-6.4; range, 16-20) than in both delayed group N (14+/-6.2; range, 10-18) and delayed group B (10+/-4.4; range, 8-18) (P=.048 and .021, respectively). The P values for Constant, pain, and daily activity scores between delayed groups N and B were .048, .038, and .052, respectively. In cases of young patients with type IC acromion fractures at the time of injury, a high activity level, and the early need for crutches or a walker, early surgical treatment should be considered.