title: Surgical and functional outcomes after operative management of complex and displaced intra-articular glenoid fractures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Operative treatment is indicated for displaced fractures of the glenoid fossa. However, little is known regarding functional outcomes in these patients. This study assesses surgical and functional results after treatment of displaced, high-energy, complex, intra-articular glenoid fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-three patients with displaced intra-articular fractures of the glenoid were treated surgically between 2002 and 2009. The indications for operative treatment included articular fracture gap or step-off of ≥ 4 mm. Twenty-five patients also had extra-articular scapular involvement. A posterior approach was utilized in twenty-one patients, an anterior approach in seven, and a combined approach in five. Functional outcomes, including Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and Short Form-36 (SF-36) scores, shoulder motion and strength, and return to work and/or activities, were obtained for thirty patients (91%).
  
  
  RESULTS
  At a mean follow-up of twenty-seven months (range, twelve to seventy-three months), all patients had radiographic union of the fracture. The mean DASH score was 10.8 (range, 0 to 42). All mean SF-36 subscores were comparable with those of the normal population. Twenty-six patients (87%) were pain-free at the time of follow-up, and four had mild pain with prolonged activity. Twenty-seven (90%) of thirty patients returned to their preinjury level of work and/or activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest that surgical treatment for complex, displaced intra-articular glenoid fractures with or without involvement of the scapular neck and body can be associated with good functional outcomes and a low complication rate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, 593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02903, USA.
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Anavian
authors.forename: Erich M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Gauger
authors.forename: Lisa K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Schroder
authors.forename: Coen A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Wijdicks
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Cole
mesh_terms: D001860:Bone Plates; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D061165:Glenoid Cavity / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D057072:Intra-Articular Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012540:Scapula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome