Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2004 19:23:03 -0500

Subject: Scapula & Chest wall deformity

From: Charles M. Blitzer

61 yo male 5 months post motorcycle crash. He had "floating shoulder" & flail chest. Pulmonary problems prevented any early intervention. He now has quite severe pain with scapular motion. Would appreciate thoughts on dealing with this. I don't think clavicular osteotomy and restoration of clavicular length will help. His pain seems to be coming from the area where his scapula crosses the significantly deformed ribs.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Charles Blitzer

Reply at: Orthopaedic Trauma Association forum

Date: Thurs, 30 Dec 2004 14:18 EST

From: Bill Burman

Consider - Missed scapular fracture after trauma. A case report and a 23-year follow-up report. Clin Orthop. 1994 Feb;(299):259-62.

Can preop planning be assisted by actual 3D models produced by stereolithography or other rapid prototyping techniques reported by Brown et al - OTA 2002. ??

Bill Burman, MD
HWB Foundation