Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2011 May;469(5):1459-65.
doi: 10.1007/s11999-010-1670-4. Epub 2010 Dec 16.

Outcomes of nonoperatively treated displaced scapular body fractures

Apostolos Dimitroulias  1 , Kenneth G Molinero, Daniel E Krenk, Matthew T Muffly, Daniel T Altman, Gregory T Altman
Affiliations

Outcomes of nonoperatively treated displaced scapular body fractures

Apostolos Dimitroulias et al. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2011 May.

Abstract

Background: Displaced scapular body fractures most commonly are treated conservatively. However there is conflicting evidence in the literature regarding the outcomes owing to retrospective design of studies, different classification systems, and diverse outcome tools.

Questions/purposes: The functional outcome after nonoperative management of displaced scapular body fractures was assessed by change in the DASH (Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand) score; (2) the radiographic outcome was assessed by the change of the glenopolar angle (GPA); and (3) associated scapular and extrascapular injuries that may affect outcome were identified.

Patients and methods: Forty-nine consecutive patients were treated with early passive and active ROM exercises for a displaced scapular body fracture. We followed 32 of these patients (65.3%) for a minimum of 6 months (mean, 15 months; range, 6-33 months). Mean age of the patients was 46.9 years (range, 21-84 years) and the mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 21.5 (range, 5-50). Subjective functional results (DASH score) and radiographic assessment (fracture union, glenopolar angle) were measured.

Results: All fractures healed uneventfully. The mean change of glenopolar angle was 9° (range, 0°-20°). The mean change of the DASH score was 10.2, which is a change with minimal clinical importance. There was a correlation between the change in this score with the ISS and presence of rib fractures.

Conclusions: Satisfactory outcomes are reported with nonoperative treatment of displaced scapular body fractures. We have shown that the severity of ISS and the presence of rib fractures adversely affect the clinical outcome.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1A–D
Fig. 1A–D
(A) Anteroposterior and (B) Y radiographic views of the right scapula of a 21 year-old man show a 100% displaced scapular body fracture. (C) Anteroposterior and (D) Y radiographic views of the right scapula obtained at the 6-month followup show a healed fracture. The fracture was treated nonoperatively, and the patient had an excellent outcome
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Ada JR, Miller ME. Scapular fractures: analysis of 113 cases. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1991;269:174–180. - PubMed
    1. Adam FF. Surgical treatment of displaced fractures of the glenoid cavity. Int Orthop. 2002;26:150–153. doi: 10.1007/s00264-002-0342-8. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Armitage BM, Wijdicks CA, Tarkin IS, Schroder LK, Marek DJ, Zlowodzki M, Cole PA. Mapping of scapular fractures with three-dimensional computed tomography. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2009;91:2222–2228. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.H.00881. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Armstrong CP, Spuy J. The fractured scapula: importance and management based on a series of 62 patients. Injury. 1984;15:324–329. doi: 10.1016/0020-1383(84)90056-1. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Baker SP, O’Neill B, Haddon W, Jr, Long WB. The injury severity score: a method for describing patients with multiple injuries and evaluating emergency care. J Trauma. 1974;14:187–196. doi: 10.1097/00005373-197403000-00001. - DOI - PubMed

MeSH terms