Fractures of the glenoid fossa are relatively rare. Between 1990 and 2002, we treated operatively five patients with intra-articular fractures of the glenoid fossa. The average age of the patients was sixty-three years old (range, forty-six to seventy-seven). These patients were all men. The injuries were caused by a fall from a height in three patients, a bicycle accident in one, a motor-vehicle accident in the other. Other major injuries, including fractures of the ribs, a lumbar vertebral fracture, a clavicle fracture, a proximal humerus fracture, a pneumothorax, were common in these patients. According to Ideberg's classification system, one patient as type II, two patients were type III, one patient was type IV and one patient was type V. An anterior approach was used in four patients and a posterior approach, for one patient. Internal fixation was performed with a screw or plate for all the patients. The follow-up period averaged ten months. We evaluated the results by Japan Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score. Bony union was achieved in all patients. No cases involved a nerve injury or infection. The results were almost satisfactory. Open reduction and internal fixation was a useful method for intra-articular fractures of the glenoid fossa.
