Broken Shoulder Blade
- Broken Shoulder Blade Overview
- Broken Shoulder Blade Causes
- Broken Shoulder Blade Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Exams and Tests
- Broken Shoulder Blade Treatment
- Self-Care at Home
- Medical Treatment
- Surgery
- Other Therapy
- Next Steps
- Follow-up
- Prevention
- Outlook
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
Broken Shoulder Blade Overview
The scapula or shoulder blade is a bony structure found on the upper back that connects the upper arm to the chest wall (thorax). It also forms the socket part of the shoulder joint connecting the upper arm (humerus) to the socket (glenoid). The acromion and coracoid processes are bony bumps found on the upper part of the scapula, and they function to connect the scapula to the collarbone. The scapula is surrounded by thick layers of muscle that are responsible for the smooth movement of the shoulder joint.
- The shoulder blade (scapula) is rarely broken (broken bones are also called fractures). Of all bone breaks, shoulder blade breaks occur less than 1% of the time.
- Scapular fractures occur more often in young men aged 25-45 years because of the activities and trauma they
encounter. These occur with athletic activities, motor vehicle accidents, and other forms of blunt trauma.
- Broken shoulder blades are often caused by heavy forces that might also include severe injuries to the chest, lungs, and internal organs.
- Fractures (breaks) have been reported at many areas along the scapula.
Next: Broken Shoulder Blade Causes »
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Broken Shoulder Blade
CT Scan Introduction
History
CT was discovered independently by a British engineer named Sir Godfrey Hounsfield and Dr. Alan Cormack. It has become a mainstay for diagnosing medical diseases. For their work, Hounsfield and Cormack were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in 1979.
CT scanners first began to be installed in 1974. Currently, 6,000 scanners are in use in the United States. Because of advances in computer technology, CT scanners have vastly improved patient comfort because they are now much faster. These improvements have also led to higher-resolution images, which improve the diagnostic capabilities of the test. For example, the CT scan can show doctors small nodules or tumors, which they cannot see on an x-ray.
Introduction
- CT or CAT scans are special x-ray tests that produce cross-sectional images of the body using x-rays and a computer. These images allow the radiologist, a medical doctor who speci...
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Fractures, Scapular »
The primary function of the scapula is to attach the upper extremity to the thorax and provide a stabilized platform for upper extremity movement.
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