OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical curative effects of different methods for the treatment of "floating shoulder injuries".

METHODSA total of 56 patients with "floating shoulder injuries" from February 2006 to August 2014 were enrolled in the study, including 12 patients[7 males and 5 females with an average age of(45.08±13.47)years old]treated by non operation (group A), 29 patients[18 males and 11 females with an average age of(37.28±10.43) years old]treated by internal plate fixation of the fracture of the clavicle(group B), 15 patients(11 males, 4 females; average age of 36.20±9.50 years) treated by internal plate fixation of the fracture of the clavicle and the scapular(group C). Functional outcomes of injured shoulder joints were assessed using Herscovici and Constant-Murley Shoulder Outcome score.

RESULTSThere was a significant difference on operative time and intra operative blood loss between group B and group C(=0.000). There were significant differences of functional outcomes among three groups(=0.000). The shoulder joint function of group A and group B, group A and group C were significantly different(=0.000), while there was no significant difference between Group B and Group C.

CONCLUSIONSOperation treatment for "floating shoulder injuries" has obvious advantages for the functional recovery of shoulder joint, and the risk for the single fixation treatment of clavicle is lower.