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- Title
Missed fractures of the greater tuberosity.
- Authors
Longo, Umile Giuseppe; Corbett, Steven; Ahrens, Philip Michael
- Abstract
<bold>Background: </bold>Fractures of the greater tuberosity may result from a variety of mechanisms. Missed injury remains a persistent problem, both from a clinical and medico-legal point-of-view. Few studies on this topic are available in the literature. We present the clinical and radiological findings of a consecutive series of 17 patients who were diagnosed and managed with undisplaced greater tuberosity fractures.<bold>Methods: </bold>A retrospective study of a consecutive series of 17 patients who sustained an occult greater tuberosity fracture were performed. Patients sustained a traumatic occult greater tuberosity fracture, underwent shoulder radiographs after trauma in 5 days and they were diagnosed as negative by a consultant radiologist. All patients received a standard assessment using MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans Each patient was evaluated for arm dominance, trauma history, duration and type of symptoms and post-treatment Oxford Shoulder Score.<bold>Results: </bold>At the final follow up the mean OSS (Oxford Shoulder Score) was 38.3 (range 17-46; SD 9.11). Three patients required a glenohumeral joint injection for post-traumatic pain and stiffness and three patients required subacromial decompression for post-traumatic impingement.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>Though undisplaced greater tuberosity fracture can be managed non-operatively with good results, patients with persistent post-traumatic shoulder pain, tenderness and limitation of shoulder function warrant investigation with MRI to identify occult fractures. Prompt identification of these fractures can facilitate patient treatment and counselling, avoiding a source of patient dissatisfaction and litigation.
- Subjects
BONE fractures; OCCULT medicine; RADIOGRAPHS; MAGNETIC resonance imaging equipment; GLENOHUMERAL joint; PATIENT satisfaction
- Publication
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2018, Vol 19, Issue 1, pN.PAG
- ISSN
1471-2474
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1186/s12891-018-2225-1