• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.62-65
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• 2008

Isolated acromial fracture is not common and it frequently accompanies fractures to the coracoid process and glenoid bone and also injuries to the acromioclavicular joint. Furthermore, most of these combined acromial fractures have minimal displacement, which needs no additional treatment other than protection for a certain period of time. We have experienced a case of isolated fracture of the posterolateral angle of the acromion, which we reduced and fixated using K-wire and cannulated screws. We report on the technical aspects and clinical results of this reduction and fixation, along with a review of the literature.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.178-186
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• 1999

Twenty-three patients with chronic shoulder pain beyond 6 months after the fracture of the greater tuberosity underwent arthroscopic treatment and were retrospectively assessed after an average of 29 months(range, 22 to 40 months). There were 18 men and 5 women with the average age of 39 years(range, 24 to 61 years). Fourteen were isolated fractures and nine were related to acute anterior instability episode. The average displacement of the fracture was 2.3mm(range, 0 to 4mm) on the anteroposterior view of the plane radiographs. At the time of arthroscopy, all patients had partial thickness rotator cuff tears in the articular surface. The cuff tears were located on the tuberosity fracture area and were an Ellman's grade I to n in depth. With the arthroscopic debridement or repair of the tear depending on the condition of the tear itself, as well as the subacromial decompression, the UCLA score revealed good to excellent results in 20 and fair in 3 patients. Nineteen of the patients had returned to the previous level of activities. The patient with a higher activity demand revealed a lower level of activity return(p=0.034). The partial thickness rotator cuff tear should be considered in patients with chronic shoulder pain after the minimally displaced fracture of the greater tuberosity, and arthroscopic debridement or repair is an appropriate procedure.