Apley 24
Apley 24
Apley 24
• MOI
• A fall on the shoulder or the outstretched hand
• Clinical Features
• The arm is clasped to the chest to prevent movement
• A subcutaneous lump
• Imaging
• AP view
• Classification
• Clavicle fractures are usually classified on the basis of their location:
• Group I – middle-third fractures
• Group II – lateral-third fractures
• Group III – medial-third fractures
• Neer Classification
• Robinson Classification
• Treatment
• Middle-third Fractures
• Undisplaced fractures - non operative — simple sling
• Severe displacement, fragmentation, or shortening — plating (specific contoured locking
plates) and intramedullary fixation
• Lateral-third Fractures
• Most lateral clavicle fractures are minimally displaced and extra-articular. The
coracoclavicular ligaments are intact prevents further displacement — non-operative —
sling 2-3 weeks
• Displaced lateral-third fractures — disruption of the
coracoclavicular ligaments — unstable injuries
• Surgery — higher complication
• CC screw and plate, hook plate fixation, suture and sling
techniques with Dacron graft ligaments, lateral clavicle
locking plates
• Medial-third fractures
• Rare — mostly extra-articular — non operatively
• Complication
• Early
• Pneumothorax, damage to subclavian vessels, BPI are all very rare
• Late
• Non-union
• Malunion
• Stiffness of the shoulder
• Fractures of Scapula
Fractures of Scapula
• MOI
• High-energy trauma
• Associated injuries: rib fractures and intrathoracic injuries
• Clinical Features
• The arm is held immobile
• Severe bruising over the scapula or the chest wall
• Imaging
• AP of the scapula, axillary view and scapular Y views are the most helpful
• CT and 3D
• Classification
• Fractures of the scapular body
• Fractures of the glenoid neck
• Intra-articular glenoid fossa fractures
(Ideberg modified by Goss)
• Type I Fractures of the glenoid rim
• Type II Fractures through the glenoid fossa, inferior
fragment displaced with subluxed humeral head
• Type III Oblique fracture through glenoid exiting
superiorly (may be associated with acromioclavicular
dislocation or fracture)
• Type IV Horizontal fracture exiting through the medial
border of the scapula
• Type V Combination of type IV and a fracture
separating the inferior half of the glenoid
• Type VI Severe comminution of the glenoid surface
• Fractures of the acromion
• Type I Minimally displaced
• Type II Displaced but not reducing subacromial space
• Type III Inferior displacement and reduced subacromial space
• Fractures of the coracoid process
• Type I Proximal to attachment of the coracoclavicular ligaments and usually associated with
acromioclavicular separation
• Type II Distal to the coracoacromial ligaments
• Treatment
• Body fractures — Surgery is not usually necessary. The patient wears a sling for comfort and active
exercises to the shoulder,
elbow and fingers. Isolated glenoid neck fractures — A sling is worn for comfort and early exercises are
begun.
• Intra-articular fractures
• Type II – ORIF
• Type III, IV, V, VI poorly define indication for surgery
• Fractures of the acromion — Undisplaced fractures are treated non-operatively.
• Fractures of the coracoid process — Those proximal to the ligaments are usually associated with
acromioclavicular separations and may need operative treatment
Scapulothoracic Dissociation
• MOI
• High-energy injury
• The scapula and arm are wrenched away from the chest, rupturing the subclavian vessels and brachial plexus
• Clinical Features
• The limb is flail and ischemic
• Swelling above the clavicle
• High mortality rate associated with this injury
• Imaging
• Chest X-ray — lateral displacement of the scapula
• Treatment
• The patient is resuscitated.
• The outcome for the upper limb is very poor.
• Functional outcome is dependent on the neurological injury but in many cases early amputation may be the
outcome
Acromioclavicular Joint Injuries
• MOI
• A fall on the shoulder with the arm adducted causing: AC ligament
strain or tear, CC ligament tear, subluxation or dislocation of clavicle
• Clinical Features
• The patient can usually point to the site of injury and the area may be bruised.
• Imaging
• Anteroposterior, cephalic tilt and axillary views
• A stress view — an AP X-ray the patient standing upright, arms
by the side and holding a 5 kg weight in each hand. A difference of
more than 50% is diagnostic of acromioclavicular dislocation
• Classification
• Rockwood grade
• I. AC ligament sprain
• II. AC tear, CC intact
• III. AC & CC ligament tears 100% superior
displacement
other types are less common
• IV. Grade III w /posterior displacement
• V. Grade III 300% superior displacement
• VI. Grade III w/ inferior displacement
• Treatment
• Sprains and subluxations — the arm is rested in a sling until pain
subsides
• Type III — Accurate reduction should be the goal
• No convincing evidence that surgery provides a better functional result than
conservative.
• The modified Weaver–Dunn procedure