Scapula Fracture

Scapula Fracture

The scapula is of triangular shape and mobile. It’s also protected by a complex system of surrounding muscles. The shoulder blade or scapula fractures are very rare. Scapular fractures are usually classified at the high end of the impact scale. Falling from a significant height or a major car accident are usually the types of impact that required the scapula to fracture and is usually associated with other major injuries including broken ribs, damage to the head, lugs or spinal cord. Without treatment fractured scapula may result in chronic shoulder pain.

 Symptoms

• Abrasions to the skin.
• Swelling at the back of the shoulder.
• Sever pain when moving the arm.

Diagnosis

For appropriate treatment, your Physiotherapist or Chiropractor will probably need to take X-rays of the chest and shoulder. This can determine if one or more parts of the scapula may be fractured. The parts of the scapula that are prone to fracture are:

• Scapular body
• Scapular neck
• Glenoid
• Acromion
• Coracoid

Treatment

Non-surgical treatment such as sling works for most fractures of the scapula. The immobilization due to the sling holds the shoulder in place while the bone heals. This type of fractures may need 2 to 6 weeks of immobilization.

The shoulder may feel stiff when the sling is removed. You should begin limited active use of your shoulder immediately

Cold or Low Laser Therapy, this therapy has a five star rating in the acceleration of the healing process and pain relief, thus reducing convalescing periods.