High-energy trauma

High-energy trauma is a term given to injuries that are the result of a high impact accident such as a traffic injury, falling from heights, or missiles. It basically sums up injuries that are caused by a large amount of kinetic energy impacting the body. Fractures of the scapula, while rare, are often the result of high-energy trauma. When these fractures occur patients will need to visit a clinic specialising in scapula fracture fixation in the Melbourne area. The approaches for fracture fixation are rather complex, and it doesn’t help that the anatomy of the scapular can be quite unfavourable. These factors make the treatment extremely challenging even for the most experienced surgeons. 

When it comes to the diagnosis of a scapular fracture, radiographs are essential to provide anteroposterior, lateral and axillary views. For preoperative planning and the overall decision-making process, computed tomography plays a vital role. In other forms of surgery, such as a shoulder replacement (arthroscopy), Melbourne surgeons may have a different preferred method for diagnosis. 

To classify a scapular fracture, there are several classification systems that have been put in place. These classifications are ruled according to the number of fragments, the location of the fracture, the pattern, and the prognosis. Below is a list of the most important and commonly used classifications for scapula fractures:

Petit: In 1723, Petit divided the body fractures into three patterns. These three parts are figured out according to the orientation of the fracture line: longitudinal, transverse and oblique.

Ada and Miller: A classification system that is based on the retrospective experience of 116 scapulae. Ada and Miller named acromion and coracoid process fractures as types I and II. In this classification there were also three types of neck fractures that were described. Type IIA refers to fracture of the surgical neck, type IIB is the transpicuous scapular neck fractures, and type IIC is transverse fractures of the scapular body.

Hardegger: Is a classification that is similar to the Ada and Miller system. It names two types of neck and two types of glenoid fractures.