Bilateral scapular fractures from accidental electric shock

Area of Science:

• Traumatology
• Electrical Injury Medicine
• Orthopedic Surgery

Background:

• Electrical injuries are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality.
• Scapular fractures are uncommon orthopedic injuries, often associated with high-energy trauma.
• Previous literature lacks documentation of bilateral scapular fractures specifically from electrical shock.

Observation:

• A patient sustained bilateral scapular fractures following accidental exposure to a 440-volt, 60-cycle alternating current.
• The fractures were identified as the primary injury resulting directly from the electrical shock event.
• No other significant traumatic injuries were noted, suggesting a direct link to the electrical current.

Findings:

• Bilateral scapular fractures represent a previously unreported consequence of accidental high-voltage electrical shock.
• A plausible mechanism involving forceful muscle contractions induced by the electrical current is proposed.
• The energy transfer from the electrical current likely played a direct role in the fracture etiology.

Implications:

• This case expands the spectrum of potential orthopedic injuries associated with electrical trauma.
• Understanding the mechanism is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management of similar rare injuries.
• Clinicians should consider scapular fractures in patients presenting with high-voltage electrical exposure, even without apparent blunt trauma.