Scapular body fractures: Short-term results of surgical management with extended indications

Scapular body fractures represent less than 1% of all skeletal fractures. Operative criteria and risk factors for scapular fracture instability are well defined. Non-operative management of scapular body fractures show satisfactory results but with shortening and medialization of the scapular body. The aim of this study is to evaluate if surgical treatment will result in an improved quality of life and shoulder function compared to non-operative treatment on patients suffering from a scapular body fracture.

From a total of 381 retrospectively identified scapular body fractures, we included 45 patients. The enrolled patients were divided into two groups: the surgical treatment (ST, n = 20) group and the non-operative treatment (NOT, n = 25) group. The Non-Union Scoring System (NUSS) was used to assess bone healing on radiographs. The functional evaluation of the two groups during the follow-up were performed using the Constant Shoulder Score (CSS) and the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Score (QuickDASH). Complications, reoperation rates, and time until bony union were also documented. The minimum follow-up for this study was designated as 12 months.

The ST group had better mean CSS and QuickDASH scores compared to the NOT group at 1, 3 and 6 months of follow-up. No statistically significant difference was detected at 12 months follow-up. ST group also demonstrated improved results in time until bone union, reduction of rehabilitation time, complications and return to work rates.

This study suggests that surgical treatment for extraarticular scapular fractures can achieve better short-term functional outcomes (3 to 6 months) compared to conservative treatment.