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VOLUME 7 , ISSUE 2 ( August, 2012 ) > List of Articles

CASE REPORT

Spontaneous scapular spine fracture related to rotator cuff pathology: a report of two cases

Diederik Groot, Anouk M. E. Giesberts, Jan B. A. van Mourik

Keywords : Spontaneous fracture, Scapula, Cuff arthropathy

Citation Information : Groot D, Giesberts AM, van Mourik JB. Spontaneous scapular spine fracture related to rotator cuff pathology: a report of two cases. 2012; 7 (2):105-107.

DOI: 10.1007/s11751-012-0135-6

License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Published Online: 01-12-2012

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2012; The Author(s).


Abstract

Spontaneous fractures of the scapula are rare, especially those involving the scapular spine. There are only a few case reports addressing this topic. Two cases are presented of spontaneous scapular spine fractures in patients with cuff-tear arthropathy. Treatment was conservative, resulting in a stiff shoulder in both patients. The combination of oral steroids and cuff-tear arthropathy seems to have caused a spontaneous scapular spine fracture in these patients. Considering the risk of operative intervention in the elderly patient conservative treatment seems a reasonable alternative.


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