The glenoid fracture has been in the news recently after it came out that Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will be sidelined for the remainder of the year because he needs surgery to address a glenoid fracture in his shoulder. But what exactly is a glenoid fracture, how do they occur, and what do the treatment and recovery phases typically look like? We answer those questions and more in today’s blog.
Causes And Symptoms Of Glenoid Fractures
Your glenoid is the socket portion of the ball-and-socket joint that makes up your shoulder. Injuries to this area of the shoulder are not all that common because the area is somewhat naturally protected, but it’s not immune from injury. Hard contact during athletics or falling onto the ground are the most common ways your glenoid can fracture, and when it does, it typically is classified into one of two different types of fractures:
- Lip Fracture – A glenoid lip fracture occurs when the shoulder dislocates. As the ball of your shoulder dislocates from the socket, it can push against the rim, causing a fracture to form.
- Fossa Fracture – A glenoid fossa fracture occurs when a fracture develops in the center area of your socket. Again, since this area has some natural protection, this type of fracture is quite rare and typically only occurs following severe trauma, like what might occur during a car accident.
Glenoid lip fractures are the most common of the two types of fractures, both both lip and fossa fractures tend to express similar symptoms, including:
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Difficulty moving the shoulder
- Visible shoulder deformity
Since glenoid fractures are typically the result of direct trauma to the shoulder area, odds are you’ll have a pretty good idea that something is wrong with the area based on your symptoms, but you may not know if you’re dealing with a rotator cuff tear, glenoid fracture or similar shoulder issue. To determine the extent of your injury and the best way to treat it, a physical examination is needed.
Diagnosing And Treating Glenoid Fractures
Your doctor will begin your physical assessment by examining your shoulder and asking you to perform some light movements to see if these actions cause symptoms to develop or if they prove difficult to perform. Similar to a self assessment, your doctor will likely have a pretty good idea that something is wrong based on this exam, but in order to confirm a specific diagnosis, imaging tests will be necessary. X-rays, CT scans or an MRI are the most common ways to determine if a glenoid fracture exists and the stability of the shoulder complex.
Your treatment course will depend on a few different factors, including the type of glenoid fracture, the size of the fracture, the stability of the shoulder complex and the patient’s relative health. In many instances, non-displaced glenoid fractures can be successfully treated without surgery. Non-operative treatment typically involves a combination of rest, anti-inflammatory medications, ice/heat therapy, physical therapy and a gradual reintroduction to physical activities.
If you are dealing with a displaced fracture, surgery is typically the recommended course of action. During surgery, the surgeon works to restore the normal shape of the glenoid socket and stabilize the shoulder to limit excessive movement that could lead to rotator cuff damage, shoulder dislocation or another glenoid fracture. Oftentimes suture anchors are used to hold the socket in position so that healing can run its course. Once surgery is finished, you’ll follow a care plan that is similar to the non-surgical treatment approach, as rest and physical therapy will gradually help you restore normal motion in your shoulder joint.
Glenoid fractures are rare, and treating them correctly so that the fracture heals and the shoulder regains all of its natural stability isn’t always easy, but it can be done. We’re confident in our ability to help patients recover from a glenoid fracture or similar shoulder issue, so if you are battling new or existing shoulder pain, connect with Dr. Holloway and his team for care. For more information, or to set up your first appointment, give his office a call today at (865) 410-7887.
