What is the treatment for a scapula fracture?

Most fractures of the scapula can be treated without surgery. Treatment involves immobilization with a sling or a shoulder immobilizer, icing and pain medications. The sling is usually kept for comfort for the first two weeks with subsequent increase of the shoulder’s range of motion.

Does scapula fracture require surgery?

Most scapula fractures do not require surgery. Surgery may be required if a fracture displaces bones, forcing them out of their normal positions.

How is Glenopolar angle measured?

Measuring glenopolar angle (GPA) (A) by measuring the angle between the line connecting the upper and lower poles of the glenoid and the line connecting the upper pole of the glenoid with the inferior scapular angle.

How long does it take for a scapular fracture to heal?

Healing: Your fracture is stable and does not need an operation. This injury normally takes 6-12 weeks to heal.

What is scapula surgery?

Surgical Treatment for Scapula Fractures The scapula can be fixed with plates and screws. These require large incisions over the back of the shoulder blade or in the arm pit. Surgery can take several hours. Ideally, surgeons like to perform this surgery within 1-2 weeks of injury.

What type of bone is the scapula?

flat triangular bone
The scapula is a large, flat triangular bone with three processes called the acromion, spine and coracoid process . It forms the back portion of the shoulder girdle.

How serious is a scapula fracture?

Because shoulder blade fractures are often associated with severe, potentially life-threatening injuries, they should be evaluated in a hospital’s emergency department. Immobilize the arm immediately.

What is Scapulothoracic dissociation?

Scapulothoracic dissociation is a rare injury involving separation of scapula from the thorax along with the upper extremity. Majority of the patients have concomitant neurovascular injury and the prognosis is uniformly poor in such cases.

What is a floating shoulder?

The floating shoulder is defined as ipsilateral fractures of the midshaft of the clavicle and the neck of the glenoid. This rare injury can be difficult to manage without a thorough understanding of the complex anatomy of the shoulder girdle. Surgical intervention needs to be considered for all of these injuries.

Are scapular fractures life-threatening?

Research shows that 80-95% of scapula fractures are accompanied by associated injuries, which may be multiple, life-threatening, or both. As a result, diagnosis and treatment of scapular injuries may be delayed or suboptimal. Long-term functional impairment may occur.

What is scapular fracture?

Scapular fractures are usually the result of significant blunt trauma. Scapular fractures include fractures of the body or spine of the scapula; acromion fracture; scapular neck fracture; glenoid rim fracture; glenoid stellate fracture; and coracoid process fracture.

What are the 3 processes of the scapula?

The scapula has three processes: the acromion, the spine, and the coracoid process. Muscle attachments to these landmarks are covered in the “Muscles” section.

What is a scapula fracture?

Scapula Fracture (Shoulder Blade Fracture): Scapular fracture is the fracture of scapula which is rare and is often caused by direct trauma from the back or side. Scapular fracture represents less than 1% in prevalence among all other broken bones and 3% to 5% of all shoulder girdle fractures.

Why is the scapula rarely fractured?

[1] Scapular fractures are uncommon, accounting for approximately 3-5% of all fractures of the shoulder girdle and less than 1% of total fractures. This is thought to be because they typically required high-energy trauma which also results in multi-system injuries[2].

How is Scapulothoracic dissociation measured?

This can be quantified by measuring the scapular index, which is the distance from the midline of the spine to the medial border of the scapula of the affected side divided by that of the noninjured side.

How is Scapulothoracic dissociation diagnosed?

The diagnosis of scapulothoracic dissociation can be made on an AP radiograph taken with the extremity not rotated by comparing distance from the medial border of the scapula with the spinous processes between the affected (long arrow) and unaffected (short arrow) sides.

Is the scapula a floating bone?

It should be appreciated that the clavicle is the only bony connection between the upper extremity and the axial skeleton. The scapula is ‘hung’ or suspended from the clavicle by the coracoclavicular ligaments and the acromioclavicular joint.

What is the most common scapula fracture?

– Scapular body and spine fractures are the most frequent (50% of the cases) (Figures 6, ​ 7). The rim fracture could be transversal, involving the supra or infraspinous fossa, or vertical named trans-spinal fracture. The isolated spine fracture is rare accounting for 6–11% of scapular fractures (50-53).

Why is a scapular fracture rare?

The rarity of scapular fractures speaks of the great force required to disrupt the scapula. They are usually caused due to high energy vehicular trauma or fall from height. Accordingly, there are often associated injuries of the ipsilateral limb, shoulder girdle, cervical spine and thorax.

What is angle of scapula?

Scapula : scapula is triangular shape has three border superior and medial and lateral ,three angle inferior,superior and lateral and three surface. Scapula deviated about 35 degree anterior to the frontal plane.the concave glenoid fossa articulate with convex head of humerus to form glenohumeral joint.

What is the Henry approach for a radius fracture?

The anterior (Henry) approach offers good exposure of the whole length of the radius. The length of the incision depends on the extent of exposure needed. The Henry approach in the proximal forearm might result in a more obvious scar. The landmarks for the skin incision are:

What is the pathophysiology of scapula fractures?

Conclusion Fractures of the scapula may be associated with high-energy mechanisms in the young, with significant associated injuries to the thorax, spine, head and abdomen. They also occur in the elderly from low-energy mechanisms, and the commonest associated injury with this group is the proximal humerus fracture.

When is surgical management indicated in the treatment of scapular fractures?

Surgical management is indicated for intra-articular fractures, displaced scapular neck fractures, open fractures, and those associated with glenohumeral instability. Please rate this review topic. You have never rated this topic.

What do we know about scapula fractures and reverse shoulder surgery?

Interest in scapula fractures has increased of late due to the specific association of fractures of the scapular spine and acromion with reverse shoulder arthroplasty. This review summarizes the available evidence that can assist decision making when faced with a patient with a scapula fracture.