Acute surgical treatment of entrapped avulsion fractures of the inferior angle of the scapula in adults: Two case reports

Georgios Neopoulos; Heath Byron Henninger; Thomas Suter

doi:10.1016/j.tcr.2023.100972

Acute surgical treatment of entrapped avulsion fractures of the inferior angle of the scapula in adults: Two case reports

Trauma Case Rep. 2023 Nov 21:48:100972. doi: 10.1016/j.tcr.2023.100972. eCollection 2023 Dec.

Authors

Georgios Neopoulos^{1

2}, Heath Byron Henninger³, Thomas Suter^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Kantonsspital Baselland, CH-4101 Bruderholz, Switzerland.
² University of Basel, Faculty of Medicine, Basel, Switzerland.
³ Department of Orthopaedics, Harold K. Dunn Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA.

Abstract

Inferior angle of scapula fractures are rare, and can lead to pain and impaired shoulder function. This report details the cases of two adult patients with inferior angle of scapula fractures who underwent acute surgical reduction and suture repair. In both patients, the avulsed fragment was dislocated and entrapped in the scapulothoracic joint resulting in noticeable crepitations and disturbed scapulothoracic rhythm during active range of motion. After surgery, both patients achieved significant improvements in shoulder function, enabling them to resume their daily activities without limitations. Fracture healing was uneventful in both cases. While the optimal treatment strategy for acute inferior angle of scapula fractures is still debated, early surgical intervention with suture fixation may offer favorable outcomes for patients with displaced fractures entrapped in the scapulothoracic joint, presenting with crepitus and disrupted scapulothoracic rhythm. Further research is needed to establish evidence-based guidelines for managing these rare fractures.

Keywords: Avulsion; Crepitus; Fracture; Inferior angle of scapula; Scapulothoracic rhythm; Surgical treatment.

Publication types

Case Reports