Skip to main content
Log in

Coracoid stress fracture in an elite fast bowler: description of a technique for CT-guided percutaneous screw fixation of coracoid fractures

  • Technical Report
  • Published:
Skeletal Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Coracoid stress fractures are a rare sports injury but present a management challenge, with the focus on optimising return-to-play, whilst minimising complications. Potential contributing mechanisms for the injury are briefly discussed and a novel approach to accurate fracture fixation under CT guidance is described. The ability of radiologists to orient themselves in 3D with a volume dataset on a workstation provides an image-guided option for percutaneous fixation that minimises risk of complications.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13

References

  1. Ogawa K, Yoshida A, Takahashi M, Ui M. Fractures of the coracoid process. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1997;79(1):17–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Knapik DM, Patel SH, Wetzel RJ, Voos JE. Prevalence and management of coracoid fracture sustained during sporting activities and time to return to sport: a systematic review. Am J Sports Med. 2018;46(3):753–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Dugarte AJ, Davis RJ, Lynch TS, Schickendantz MS, Farrow LD. Anatomic study of subcoracoid morphology in 418 shoulders: potential implications for subcoracoid impingement. Orthop J Sports Med. 2017;5(10):2325967117731996

  4. Bhatia DN, de Beer JF, du Toit DF. Coracoid process anatomy: implications in radiographic imaging and surgery. Clin Anat. 2007;20(7):774–84.

  5. Bhatia DN. Orthogonal biplanar fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous fixation of a coracoid base fracture associated with acromioclavicular joint dislocation. Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg. 2012;16(1):56–9.

  6. Mohammed H, Skalski MR, Patel DB, et al. Coracoid process: the lighthouse of the shoulder. Radiographics. 2016;36(7):2084–101.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Chammaa R, Miller D, Datta P, McClelland D. Coracoid stress fracture with late instability. Am J Sports Med. 2010;38:2328–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Roy EA, Cheyne I, Andrews GT, Forster BB. Beyond the cuff: MR imaging of labroligamentous injuries in the athletic shoulder. Radiology. 2016;278(2):316–32.

  9. Green RA, Taylor NF, Watson L and Ardern C. Altered scapula position in elite young cricketers with shoulder problems. J Sci Med Sport. 16(1):22–27.

  10. Eyres KS, Brooks A, Stanley D. Fractures of the coracoid process. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1995;77(3):425–428.

  11. Harisinghani MG, Gervais DA, Hahn PF et al. CT-guided transgluteal drainage of deep pelvic abscesses: indications, technique, procedure-related complications, and clinical outcome. RadioGraphics. 2002;22(6):1353–1367.

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank physiotherapist TJ Malherbe for her valuable input.

Thanks also go to Prof. Stephen Roche, the orthopaedic surgeon involved.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Graeme Thompson.

Ethics declarations

Consent was obtained from the patient to publish this article.

Conflicts of interest

The authors declare that there are no actual or potential conflicts of interest in relation to this article.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Electronic supplementary material

Video 1

Axial series demonstrating the final position of the cannulated screw introduced over the K-wire with its tip securely in the scapular cancellous cavity. (MOV 2267 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Thompson, G., Van Den Heever, A. Coracoid stress fracture in an elite fast bowler: description of a technique for CT-guided percutaneous screw fixation of coracoid fractures. Skeletal Radiol 48, 1611–1616 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-019-03184-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-019-03184-2

Navigation