Rare isolated coracoid mid-process fracture with displacement in an adolescent: Case report

Isolated coracoid fractures (ICFs) are rare and the management is controversial. In this article, we report a displaced ICF, treated conservatively with success. A 12-year-old male patient presented with mild pain in his right shoulder after simple fall. Physical examination was normal except mild tenderness on the coracoid process and mildly limited active shoulder motion. Plain radiographs did not demonstrate any apparent finding of pathology. Computed tomography (CT) images revealed isolated coracoid mid-process fracture with displacement. Significant symptomatic relief as well as sufficient callus formation, confirmed by follow-up CT examination, was achieved after Velpeau sling use for four weeks. After a follow-up duration of 14 months, excellent clinical and radiologic outcomes were accomplished. The result of this case supports the efficiency of conservative treatment for ICFs in adolescents, even in the presence of considerable fracture displacement. Computed tomography imaging is a valuable diagnostic tool for the assessment of ICF.