Early Results of Scapular Fractures Treated Operatively at a Level One Trauma Center

Certain scapular fractures are best treated with open reduction to restore form and function to the glenohumeral joint. The purpose of this study was to review the results of operative treatment of scapular fractures at a level one trauma center.

Twenty-one cases of operatively treated scapular fractures over a four-year period were identified after a database query. Nine patients had inadequate follow-up and one had a reinjury excluding a total of ten patients from our analysis. This left 11 patients (eight male and three female) with displaced scapular neck and glenoid fractures who were the subjects of this retrospective study. There were no ipsilateral clavicular fractures. The average age was 33.8 years (range, 22-49). Fixation was achieved using titanium 3.5 reconstruction plates and screws in all cases. Three plates were used in one patient and two in the other ten patients. Functional outcomes were assessed by the UCLA shoulder scoring scale at a mean follow-up of 24.0 months.

At latest follow-up, nine of the patients had returned to work. Two patients had excellent results, six had good results, two had fair results, and one patient had a poor result. The poor result was associated with a suprascapular neuropathy diagnosed preoperatively. The average UCLA score was 29.1 out of 35 points.

Open reduction and internal fixation is associated with anatomic reduction, a low complication rate, and satisfactory functional results at short-term follow-up.