Scapular spine base fracture with long outside-in superior or posterior screws with reverse shoulder arthroplasty

Background: The purpose of the present study was to determine how long superior screws alone or in combination with posterior placement of metaglene screws protruding and penetrating into the scapular spine in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty affect the strength of the scapular spine in a fresh cadaveric scapular model.Methods: Seven fresh cadaver scapulas were allocated to the control group (short posterior and superior screws) and seven scapulas to the study group (spine base fixation with a 4-inch-long superior screw, three with both long superior and long posterior screws).Results: The failure load was lower in the spine fixation group (long screw [869 N] vs. short screw [1,123 N]); however, this difference did not reach statistical significance (p>0.05). All outside-in long superior or superior plus posterior screws failed due to scapular spine base fracture; failures in the short screw group were due to acromion fracture. An additional posterior outside-in screw failed to significantly decrease the failure load of the acromion spine.Conclusions: The present study highlights the significance of preventing a cortical breach or an outside-in configuration when a superior or posterior screw is inserted into the scapular spine base.

Quantitative fit analysis of acromion fracture plating systems using three-dimensional reconstructed scapula fractures – A multi-observer study

Introduction: Surgical treatment of displaced acromial and scapula spine fractures may be challenging due to the bony anatomy and variable fracture patterns. This difficulty is accentuated by the limitations of the available scapular plates for fracture fixation. This study compares the quantitative fitting of anatomic scapular plates and clavicle plates, using three-dimensional (3D) printed fractured scapulae. Methods: Fourteen scapulae with acromion and spine fractures were used for this study. Computerized tomographic (CT) scans of the fractured scapulae were obtained from the Philips picture archiving and communication system (PACS) database of patients admitted to a tertiary teaching hospital in Cape Town, South Africa between 2012 and 2016. The reconstructed scapulae were 3D printed and the anatomical acromion and clavicle plates were templated about the fracture regions. The fit assessment was performed by five observers who classified the plates as no-fit, intermediate fit, and anatomical fit according to the surgical guidelines. Results: The 6-hole anterior clavicle plate performed better than any of the scapular plates as they were able to fit 45.7% of the fractured acromion, including the spine. Among the pre-contoured anatomical scapula plates, both the short and the long acromion plates could fit only 27.3% of the fractured acromion. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.965 suggesting excellent consensus among the five observers. Conclusion: Clavicle plates were found to be better suited to fit around a scapula fracture in its acromion and spine region.

Locked 90°-double plating of scapular spine fracture after reverse shoulder arthroplasty with union and good outcome despite plate adjacent acromion fracture

We report the case of a 74-year-old woman who sustained a scapular spine (SS) fracture after a fall 4 weeks after reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with locked 90°-double plating resulted in union of the SS fracture with a good outcome (subjective shoulder value: 80%; Constant score 67; 1 year) despite of an adjacent lateral acromion fracture 3 weeks after ORIF. This is the second description in the literature of a successful double plate ORIF with union of an SS fracture after RSA. SS fractures are known to lead to poor RSA outcomes with a high mal-union rate and non-union rate. We describe the positioning of the plates and technical steps for successful ORIF to avoid complications, discuss the aftercare and report the outcome.

Displaced acromion fracture associated with anterior glenohumeral subluxation in a polytrauma patient: a case report

Background: Fractures of the acromion process of the scapula are a rare entity that account for approximately 7% to 16% of all scapula fractures, which in turn account for 0.5% to 1% of all fractures in the body. These fractures usually occur from direct trauma to the shoulder or as a result of overuse injuries to the shoulder joint. Given the rare incidence of these fractures, there are currently no treatment guidelines for treating these fractures when diagnosed. Case presentation: In this case report, we discuss how a secondarily diagnosed displaced acromion fracture associated with anterior glenohumeral joint subluxation in a polytrauma patient was surgically treated. After surgical fixation of this fracture and accordingly neutralizing all the dislocating tension forces exerted by the deltoid muscle, the glenohumeral joint was spontaneously relocated postoperatively. Conclusion: Patient with shoulder trauma should be carefully examined for acromion fractures. Acromion fractures can be treated with good results with early surgical treatment and proper fixation. Surgical treatment is important to regain shoulder functions, as it enables early rehabilitation.

The Floating Acromion: A Rare and Previously Unreported Injury Possibly Requiring Surgical Stabilization

Acromion fractures are increasingly seen as a postoperative complication following reversed shoulder arthroplasty. However, traumatic fractures of the acromion, usually caused by direct trauma, are rare. Therefore, the current literature lacks standardized clinical guidelines regarding the surgical treatment of these kinds of fractures. We present a traumatic acromion fracture and concomitant distal clavicle fracture, resulting in a so-called “floating acromion.” A fifty-four-year-old female patient was presented at the Emergency Department following a fall from the stairs. She complained of severe pain in the left shoulder. Radiographic evaluation of the left shoulder revealed an acromion fracture and concomitant distal clavicle fracture. Initially, since there was no dislocation, this “floating acromion” was treated conservatively. However, after 4 weeks, no improvement in pain was seen and a control CT scan revealed no callus formation. Considering the possibility that this could be a biomechanically unstable injury, together with the persistent severe pain, it was decided to proceed with surgical treatment. A lateral clavicle plate was used to stabilize the acromion fracture. Postoperatively, the patient was provided with a sling. She was regularly seen at the outpatient clinic. After two weeks of circumduction exercises, she was allowed to build up active movement under the supervision of a shoulder physiotherapist. Nevertheless, she developed a frozen shoulder. However, our patient fully recovered with complete restoration of shoulder function. Therefore, for operative management of acromion fractures, we suggest the use of a lateral clavicle plate which fits remarkably well on the lateral spine and acromion.

Acromion Fracture and Acromioclavicular Joint Dislocation: A Case Report

Background: Acromion fractures are rare injuries that may occur because of shoulder trauma. This may be associated with distal clavicle fractures, which can be an indication for surgery. There are several methods, which are used for fixation of this type of fractures. Case Presentation: In this paper, we presented a 34 years old man with acromion fracture in contribution with acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation. We applied a new method for fixation of this fracture. The fracture was fixed by 2 screws and AC Joint was fixed by a 4-hole hook plate. Conclusions: It is important to be aware of acromial fracture to not miss them and also for early management, so that early recovery and satisfactory results can be gained