Case report of an unusual extra-articular scapular malunion: Rare indication for surgery.
Shoulder Elbow 2021;
13:534-537. [PMID:
34659487 PMCID:
PMC8512972 DOI:
10.1177/1758573220906557]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Scapular fractures are relatively rare injuries usually associated with high-energy trauma and multiple concomitant injuries. Most of scapular fractures do not require surgical intervention.
PATIENT AND CLINICAL HISTORY
A 42-year-old male sustained an extra-articular scapular body fracture along with multiple rib fractures with flail segments and right pneumothorax treated with intercostal drain. The scapula fracture was treated non-operatively initially, which resulted in very poor outcome. Operative intervention was planned following scans which showed a bony spike from the ventral surface impinging on the chest wall.
SURGICAL TECHNIQUE
Bony spur was approached from dorsal side using a three-dimensional anatomical model as a guide for accurate localization.
RESULTS
The patient's symptoms including shoulder stiffness and pain on deep inspiration settled down completely following removal of the spur.
DISCUSSION
This case presents a new indication for surgical intervention in scapular body fracture which has not been published before. All the relevant measurements related to the fracture namely gleno-polar angle, lateral border offset and angulation were within published limits of indications for conservative treatment. Despite this, it resulted in poor outcome necessitating surgical intervention.
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