Acromioclavicular dislocation associated with scapular fractures - pathoanatomy of the injury.

INTRODUCTION: No detailed study dealing with an injury to the AC joint in combination with scapular fractures has been published to date. The aim of this study is to describe pathoanatomy of these injuries. METHODS: In a series of 519 scapular fractures in adult patients from the period of 20022020 we identified a total of 20 (3.9%) cases associated with AC dislocation. The group comprised 17 men and 3 women with the mean age of 49 years (range, 2178). Radiographs of the shoulder joint followed by CT examination, including 3D reconstructions, were performed in all patients. This documentation allowed assessment of the scapular fracture pattern and type of injury to the AC joint. RESULTS: AC dislocation was associated with a simple scapular fracture in 15 cases (7 fractures of the coracoid base, 4 fractures of the acromion or the lateral spine, 2 fractures of the scapular body, 1 fracture of the superior and 1 fracture of the inferior glenoid). In 5 cases AC dislocation accompanied multiple or complex scapular fractures (once a combination of a coracoid fracture and a fracture of the lateral scapular spine, once a combination of a fracture of the superior glenoid and of the acromion, 2 cases of a complex intraarticular fracture and 1 case of scapulothoracic dissociation). CONCLUSION: AC dislocation is relatively infrequent injury accompanying scapular fractures. It is most commonly associated with fractures of coracoid, acromion/lateral spine or superior glenoid. No case of AC dislocation was recorded in a fracture of the scapular neck.

Pectoralis major ruptures.

Injuries of pectoralis major (PM) muscle are among rare muscle injuries. Due to the lack of experience and knowledge in this field, they are often missed or improperly treated. Most often they are caused by an indirect mechanism, during strength sports, typically using the bench press. In clinical terms, they are typically characterized by specific disorder of the anterior axillary fold and a hematoma and, after subsidence of the swelling, disfiguration with medial retraction of the muscle belly. The most beneficial imaging method to examine these injuries is MRI with an emphasis on a properly set protocol. According to the Cordasco classification, they are categorized as PM distensions, isolated and complete ruptures. Ruptures involve most frequently the musculotendinous junction and tendon insertion. Operative treatment is indicated in isolated complete ruptures of one portion and complete ruptures of both portions of the pectoralis major tendon, predominantly in young active patients with high functional demands. Surgery should be preferably performed without delay, within no more than 6 weeks, in order to ensure the best results. The most common operative technique is reinsertion of the muscle by means of implants or direct suture. In chronic ruptures, it is often necessary to perform a reconstruction with a tendon graft. The results are good, although worse as compared to an early treatment.

Fractures of the surgical neck of the scapula with separation of the coracoid base.

Fractures of the surgical neck of the scapula combined with a fracture of the coracoid base constitute a specific and rare type of a fracture pattern. When displaced, they present a severe, completely unstable type of surgical neck fracture, requiring a precise CT diagnosis, open reduction and stable internal fixation of the fracture via the Judet approach. The aim of this study is to describe our four cases and discuss three others reported to date.