The floating shoulder

Emerg Radiol. 2019 Aug;26(4):459-464. doi: 10.1007/s10140-019-01682-3. Epub 2019 Feb 23.

Abstract

The floating shoulder refers to a subset of complex shoulder injuries that typically occur in the setting of high-energy trauma. Identification of the full extent of complex shoulder injuries with computed tomography may have critical implications in patient management. The goals of this article are to review the anatomy, definition, imaging evaluation, and treatment of floating shoulder injuries.

Keywords: Complex shoulder girdle injuries; Floating shoulder; Scapular neck fracture; Superior shoulder suspensory complex.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Clavicle / injuries
  • Fractures, Bone / diagnostic imaging*
  • Fractures, Bone / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Joint Instability / diagnostic imaging*
  • Joint Instability / therapy*
  • Ligaments, Articular / injuries
  • Scapula / injuries
  • Shoulder Injuries / diagnostic imaging*
  • Shoulder Injuries / therapy*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*