Purpose: To detect concomitant intra-articular glenohumeral injuries, in acute displaced fractures of the lateral clavicle, initially missed due to unfeasible clinical evaluation of the acutely injured shoulder.
Methods: All patients suffering from an acute displaced lateral clavicle fracture with indication to surgical treatment underwent diagnostic shoulder arthroscopy prior to open reduction and internal fixation. In case of therapy-relevant intra-articular glenohumeral injuries, subsequent surgical treatment was performed.
Results: Intra-articular injuries were found in 13 of 28 patients (46.4 %) with initially suspected isolated lateral clavicle fracture. Additional surgical treatment was performed in 8 of 28 cases (28.6 %). Superior labral anterior-posterior (SLAP) lesions were observed in 4 of 28 patients (14.3 %; SLAP II a: 1; II b: 1; III: 1; and IV: 1). Lesions of the pulley system were found in 3 of 28 patients (10.7 %; Habermeyer III°). One partial articular supraspinatus tendon avulsion lesion (3.6 %) and one lesion of the subscapularis tendon (3.6 %; Fox and Romeo II°) were observed.
Conclusions: Traumatic concomitant glenohumeral injuries in lateral clavicle fractures seem to be more frequent than expected in general. Subsequent surgical treatment of these formerly missed but therapy-relevant injuries may increase functional outcome and reduce complication rate.
Level of evidence: IV.
Keywords: Concomitant injury; Distal clavicle fracture; Lateral clavicle fracture; PASTA; Pulley lesion; SLAP; Subscapularis tendon lesion.