Scapulothoracic dissociation: diagnosis and treatment

Scapulothoracic dissociation is an important and increasingly common clinical condition resulting from massive traction injury to the anterolateral shoulder girdle with disruption of scapulothoracic articulation. It frequently is accompanied by an acromioclavicular separation, displaced clavicular f...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inClinical orthopaedics and related research no. 416; p. 237
Main Authors Althausen, Peter L, Lee, Mark A, Finkemeier, Christopher G
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.11.2003
Subjects
Acromioclavicular Joint - injuries
Humans
Joint Dislocations - diagnosis
Joint Dislocations - therapy
Muscles - injuries
Scapula - injuries
Sternoclavicular Joint - injuries
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Summary:Scapulothoracic dissociation is an important and increasingly common clinical condition resulting from massive traction injury to the anterolateral shoulder girdle with disruption of scapulothoracic articulation. It frequently is accompanied by an acromioclavicular separation, displaced clavicular fracture, or sternoclavicular disruption. Vascular lesions have been reported in 88% of patients and severe neurologic injuries occur in 94% of patients. Many patients have a poor outcome with a flail extremity in 52%, early amputation in 21%, and death in 10%. Early recognition of this injury combined with a logical treatment protocol can help to decrease the substantial morbidity and mortality associated with this condition.
ISSN:0009-921X
DOI:10.1097/01.blo.0000093022.56370.fe