Abstract
In the period from 1970 through 1988, 101 fractures of the scapula were treated at Nobuhara Hospital. The ages of the patients at the time of injury, mostly as the result of vehicular accidents, ranged between 13 and .81 years (average; 45.1) . The fractures were predominant by males (75 cases; 74.3%) . The majority of cases (55 cases; 54.5%) involved fractures of the scapular body and fractures of the acromion were second most common (26 cases; 25.7%) .
Of these 101 fractures, 74 were treated conservatively. Traction in position was applied in 26, with good results. Surgical treatments were performed on 27: 6 osteosyntheses, 2 glenoid osteotomies, 1 corrective osteotomy, 2 bone graftings for non-union of the scapular body, 1 excision of bony fragment, 1 acromionectomy and 17 operations for other complications of the shoulder girdle.
In general, satisfactory results were obtained in 90 cases. However, 7 fractures treated with conservatively and 4 operated-on fractures had varying degrees of pain and loss of elevation. But all 26 fractures treated in the zero position had complete functional recovery. Traction in the zero position is recommended as the first choice of therapy for scapular fractures.
