OPEN REDUCTION AND INTERNAL-FIXATION OF DISPLACED INTRAARTICULAR FRACTURES OF THE GLENOID FOSSA

Ten displaced intra-articular fractures of the glenoid fossa were trea ted with open reduction and internal fixation between 1980 and 1987. N ine patients were available for evaluation at an average of four years (range, two to ten years) after the operation. Eight patients had mil d or no symptoms and little or no restriction of the motion of the sho ulder. There were no infections or malunions. The only complication wa s heterotopic ossification in one patient. Radiographic evaluation sho wed no evidence of traumatic osteoarthrosis in any patient. Open reduc tion and internal fixation is a useful and safe technique for the trea tment of selected, displaced fractures of the glenoid fossa, and it ca n restore excellent function of the shoulder.