Scapular avulsion fracture of a high school wrestler

This case study details a rare injury managed conservatively with aggressive therapy with early return to competition. A 17-year-old high school wrestler suffered indirect trauma to the right upper extremity. The patient was forced to the mat where he felt pain in the posterior aspect of his shoulder and was point tender over the inferior pole of his right scapula. Radiographs reveal an avulsion fracture at the inferior angle of the scapula. Aggressive therapy included modalities to control inflammation and muscle guarding in addition to early scapular mobility. Maintenance of glenohumeral motion and upper extremity strengthening was started within a week. The patient was able to wrestle in the state tournament 3 weeks after initial injury. At the 6-month follow-up, the patient had no clinical tenderness, full range of motion, and no motor deficits. The outcome resulted in clinical and radiological healing of the fracture and no functional deficits.