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Medical Author:

William Freudenthal, MD

Coauthor:

James V Ritchie, MD

Medical Editor:

Marian Gambrell, MD

Medical Editor:

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD

Medical Editor:

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

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Outlook

Most fractures of the shoulder blade heal without complications within 6-8 weeks. Fractures that involve the shoulder socket or scapular neck develop more complications.

• Complications may include the following:
  
  
  • Loss of range of motion
    
    
  • Loss of strength
    
    
  • Persistent pain
    
    
  • Early arthritis
• 
  
• Many people with scapular fractures have other serious injuries, and their prognosis depends on the nature of these other injuries.