Functional Outcomes of Operative Management of Scapula Fractures in a Geriatric Cohort.

OBJECTIVES

To analyze functional outcomes, motion, and strength in patients 65 years of age and older who underwent operative management of a scapula fracture.

DESIGN

Retrospective review of prospective database.

SETTING

A single level-1 teaching trauma center.

PATIENTS/

PARTICIPANTS

Two hundred fifty patients with scapula fractures were operated between January 2002 and March 2014. A review identified 16 geriatric patients 65 years of age and older.

INTERVENTION: All patients underwent operative treatment of a scapular fracture.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH), Short-Form Health Survey versions 1 and 2 (SF-36), Range of Motion (ROM), and Strength assessment at final follow-up 1 year or greater.

RESULTS

Outcomes were attained on 15/16 patients at a mean follow-up of 40 months (range = 12-114). All fractures were united. Three patients experienced minor perioperative complications (temporary delirium in 2 patients, urinary tract infection in 1). One patient required subsequent removal of an intraarticular screw, and 1 patient required resection of heterotopic ossification and requested implant removal. The mean ROM expressed as a percent of contralateral ROM ranged from 78% to 96%. The mean strength expressed as a percent of contralateral strength ranged from 76% to 92%. The mean DASH score was 8.4. SF-36 scores were comparable with the normal population. All patients returned to activities.

CONCLUSIONS

Operative treatment for displaced fractures in patients 65 years of age and older is safe and can yield good functional results and return to function.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.