Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Treatment for Scapular neck fracture is controversial, some scholars believe that conservative treatment can obtain a satisfactory outcomes; while the other scholars believe that steel plate treatment is required.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the effective methods for treatment of unstable fractures of the scapular neck.
METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 25 patients with unstable fractures of the scapular neck was done. Twelve patients were treated by steel plate internal fixation and 13 patients were treated by conservative treatment from July 2005 to December 2009.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Twenty-five patients were followed up from 3 to 24 months. In the non-implant group, the Herscovici’s score was 8.46±3.20; 2 cases achieved the excellent result, 3 cases good, 6 cases fair and 2 cases poor, and the excellent and good rate was 38.5%; the X-ray film results showed that glenopolar angle (GPA) was (21.7±4.6)°. In the implant group, the Herscovici’s score was 11.75±2.60; 5 cases achieved the excellent result, 6 cases good, 1 case fair and none case poor, and the excellent and good rate was 91.7%; the GPA was (38.8±2.9)°. There were significant differences between two groups (P < 0.05). Implant treatment for unstable fractures of the scapular neck can reconstruct the stability and facilitate function of the shoulder joint.