Atraumatic Reciprocal Scapula Fracture – A Case Report and Review of Literature

INTRODUCTION: Scapula fractures are very rare and bilateral reciprocal involvement is rarest of all. Due to the protective nature of surrounding musculature, it is least prone to fracture with reported incidence of 1% of all skeletal fractures. However, synchronized firing of the periscapular muscles could overcome the bone strength resulting into the fracture as in the cases of electrocution and seizure attack. CASE REPORT: We present a case of 54-year-old ex-military male patient with a history of acute onset seizure of multiple episodes. Magnetic resonance imaging showed cerebrovascular thrombosis. The patient was admitted in the intensive care and complained pain over bilateral shoulder with restricted movement in the post-ictal phase. X-ray showed bilateral comminuted extra-articular scapular fractures. The severity of the injury and displacement of the fracture pronounced operative intervention. Modified Judet approach was used to approach the fractures. After a successful surgery, rehabilitation protocol constituted of passive range of motion exercises with gradual active exercises of shoulder. One-year follow-up showed good consolidation of both fracture with full recovery of function. CONCLUSION: Periscapular musculature protects the scapula from traumatic events due to the significant bulk that it provides but these can on the other hand be source of deforming force in the patient who has history of simultaneous contraction as in the case of recurrent episodic seizure or electrocution. Scapular fracture should always be suspected in the patient with insidious development of shoulder pain following strong seizure attack. These fractures if indicated should be managed operatively.