Logo of The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery (Br)
Quick search:        
          Advanced Search
Guest Access | Sign In
Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - British Volume, Vol 91-B, Issue 5, 619-626.
doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.91B5.22158  
Copyright © 2009 by British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow My Folders
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Herrera, D. A.
Right arrow Articles by Cole, P. A.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Herrera, D. A.
Right arrow Articles by Cole, P. A.

Delayed operative management of fractures of the scapula

D. A. Herrera, MD, Orthopaedic Resident1; J. Anavian, MD, Orthopaedic Research Fellow2; I. S. Tarkin, MD, Orthopaedic Surgeon3; B. A. Armitage, MSc, Medical Student4; L. K. Schroder, BS, MBA, Research Co-ordinator2; and P. A. Cole, MD, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Professor2

1 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1313 13th Street South, #113, Birmingham, Alabama, 35205, USA.
2 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Minnesota, Regions Hospital, 640 Jackson Street, Mailstop 11503L, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101, USA.
3 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Medical Center, Kaufmann Medical Building, Suite 911, 3471 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA.
4 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Minnesota, 2450 Riverside Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55454, USA.

Correspondence should be sent to Professor P. A. Cole; e-mail: peter.a.cole{at}healthpartners.com

Between 1998 and 2007, 22 patients with fractures of the scapula had operative treatment more than three weeks after injury. The indications for operation included displaced intra-articular fractures, medialisation of the glenohumeral joint, angular deformity, or displaced double lesions of the superior shoulder suspensory complex.

Radiological and functional outcomes were obtained for 16 of 22 patients. Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, Hand (DASH) and Short form-36 scores were collected for 14 patients who were operated on after March 2002. The mean delay from injury to surgery was 30 days (21 to 57). The mean follow-up was for 27 months (12 to 72). At the last review the mean DASH score was 14 (0 to 41). Of the 16 patients with follow-up, 13 returned to their previous employment and recreational activities without restrictions. No wound complications, infection or nonunion occurred.

Malunion of the scapula can be prevented by surgical treatment of fractures in patients with delayed presentation. Surgery is safe, effective, and gives acceptable functional results.






(c) British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery All Rights Reserved
Registered charity no: 209299     Print ISSN: 0301-620X
Hip, Knee, Trauma, Upper limb, Foot & Ankle, Paediatrics, Oncology, Spine, Arthroplasty, General