OBJECTIVETo investigate surgical methods and effects of unstable scapular fracture.

METHODSFrom October 2008 to August 2011, 14 patients with unstable scapular fracture were treated. There were 12 males and 2 females with an average age of 38.7 years (ranging, 21 to 55 years).The time from injury to hospitalization was 1 hour to 10 days (mean 3 days). Among patients,3 patients had scapular body fracture,4 patients had scapular neck and body fracture,4 patients had scapular neck and acromion fracture,2 patients had glenoid cavity and coracoid fracture, 1 patient with scapular spine and coracoid fracture. All patients were treated by operation, Hardegger classification system was applied to evaluate the function.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for 2 to 36 months (mean 12.4 months). The healing time ranged from 6 to 8 weeks. No infection and internal fixation failure occurred. The effect result of Hardegger scoring system was excellent in 9 cases, good in 3 cases, fair in 2 cases.

CONCLUSIONSurgical treatment for unstable scapular fracture can reconstruct stability of shoulder joint, promote early rehabilitation of joint function, and maximally restore shoulder function.