Coracoid pseudarthrosis caused by anterior shoulder dislocation with concomitant coracoid fracture

Fractures of the coracoid process are rare and represent only 2-5% of all fractures of the scapula. The most frequent cause of a coracoid fracture is direct trauma, but indirect trauma may also lead to a fracture of this kind. Avulsion injuries as part of an acromioclavicular dislocation are the most frequent forms of trauma. For the rare cases of an anterior shoulder dislocation with concomitant coracoid fracture, two different mechanism are discussed. One cause of the coracoid fracture could be direct impact of the dislocated head of the humerus on the coracoid process, another may be the occurrence of a sudden strong pull of the muscles inserting at the coracoid process during shoulder dislocation. In the majority of cases, conservative treatment with six weeks of immobilization is appropriate. If a pseudarthrosis occurs and there is persistent pain, we recommend the operative fixation of the distal coracoid fragment by insertion of cancellous bone graft taken from the iliac crest and stabilization with a carmulated AO titanium small fragment screw and PDS cord.