[Isolated Displaced Fracture of the Acromion - Case Report]

Abstract

Displaced fractures of the acromion are rare injuries. A 45-year-old lady presented with an isolated acromion fracture (type III, Kuhn classification) resulting from a direct blow to the top of her right shoulder in a fall while skiing. After standard clinical and radiological examination of the shoulder, an open reduction and internal plate fixation using a postero-superior approach to the scapula was performed. Early rehabilitation of the arm and shoulder was initiated. At 50 days after surgery the patient achieved a full range of motion in her right shoulder and muscle strength equal to that of the contralateral extremity. By 12 weeks radiographic union of the fracture was recorded. The final functional outcome after open reduction and internal plate fixation of the fracture was comparable with results reported in the literature and, in comparison with conservative treatment, the risk of non-union was significantly reduced.

Key words: acromion fracture, scapula, osteosynthesis.