BACKGROUND: Good results have been reported with both operative and nonoperative treatment of floating shoulder, and discussions about an appropriate therapy of this rare entity are controversial because of small numbers of patients. METHODS: Seventeen patients with a floating shoulder were retrospectively evaluated. The treatment was nonoperative in eight patients and operative in nine. All patients were clinically examined and standard shoulder radiographs were obtained at the time of follow-up. RESULTS: All fractures healed. Five patients in the nonoperative and five patients in the operative group showed good to excellent results. The associated injuries influence the outcome of these patients significantly. CONCLUSION: Nondisplaced or less displaced floating shoulders are expected to give good results after nonoperative treatment. If mostly heavy associated injuries allow it, significantly displaced fractures should be treated operatively.
BACKGROUND: Good results have been reported with both operative and nonoperative treatment of floating shoulder, and discussions about an appropriate therapy of this rare entity are controversial because of small numbers of patients. METHODS: Seventeen patients with a floating shoulder were retrospectively evaluated. The treatment was nonoperative in eight patients and operative in nine. All patients were clinically examined and standard shoulder radiographs were obtained at the time of follow-up. RESULTS: All fractures healed. Five patients in the nonoperative and five patients in the operative group showed good to excellent results. The associated injuries influence the outcome of these patients significantly. CONCLUSION: Nondisplaced or less displaced floating shoulders are expected to give good results after nonoperative treatment. If mostly heavy associated injuries allow it, significantly displaced fractures should be treated operatively.
Authors: Apostolos Dimitroulias; Kenneth G Molinero; Daniel E Krenk; Matthew T Muffly; Daniel T Altman; Gregory T Altman Journal: Clin Orthop Relat Res Date: 2010-12-16 Impact factor: 4.176