Everything You Need to Know About a Scapula Fracture
What is a Scapula Fracture?
A scapula fracture is a break in the shoulder blade, the flat, triangular bone that connects your upper arm to your torso. Because the scapula is protected by the chest wall and surrounded by muscles, fractures in this bone are relatively rare and usually caused by high-impact trauma. Depending on the type and location of the fracture, it can affect movement in the shoulder, arm, or rib area, and may sometimes involve the shoulder joint itself.
An analogy…
Think of the scapula like a wing on your back, strong, but thin and well protected. It takes a big hit, like a fall from height or a car accident, to crack it. When it does break, it can make it hard to lift or move the arm freely.
What are other names that a scapula fracture can be referred to?
Fractured Scapula, Shoulder Blade Fracture, Fractured Shoulder Blade
What causes a scapula fracture?
The scapula is a strong, broad bone that forms the back of the shoulder and serves as a point of attachment for many muscles. It helps connect the humerus (upper arm) with the clavicle (collarbone) and rib cage. A fracture usually occurs from direct trauma, such as a car accident, fall from height, or a high-energy sports injury. Because it takes so much force, a scapula fracture is often associated with other injuries like rib fractures, lung trauma, or collarbone fractures.
What are the signs and symptoms of a scapula fracture?
- Sharp pain around the upper back or shoulder blade area, especially after trauma
- Swelling, bruising, or visible deformity over the shoulder blade
- Pain with shoulder or arm movement
- Difficulty lifting or using the arm
- Crepitus (grinding or cracking feeling) near the fracture site
- Muscle guarding – the surrounding muscles may feel tight or spasmed
What tests are used to diagnose a scapula fracture?
Physical examination: Checks for tenderness, swelling, bruising, and restricted shoulder movement
X-ray: Usually the first imaging step to confirm the presence and location of the fracture
How long does a scapula fracture take to heal?
Recovery time depends on how severe and displaced the fracture is. Most non-displaced fractures heal well with rest and rehabilitation in 6 to 8 weeks. More complex or displaced fractures, or those that involve the shoulder joint (glenoid), may require surgical fixation and take up to 3 to 6 months to fully recover. Rehab is crucial to regain full shoulder mobility and strength.
How does a scapula fracture happen?
- Falls from height
- High-speed car or bike accidents
- Direct trauma from contact sports or extreme sports
- Blunt force injuries
What treatment can help a scapula fracture?
- Gradual return to movement and loading under professional supervision
- Manual therapy and stretching once cleared for rehab
- Strengthening of scapular stabilisers and shoulder muscles
What exercises or stretches can I do for a scapula fracture?
- Pendulum exercises
- Isometric scapular activation
- Shoulder range of motion drills
- Postural strengthening and scapular control movement
- Resistance band strengthening
What products can help with a scapula fracture?
Wrist flexion and extension – palms together
Sit upright on a stable chair or wheelchair with your back supported and a table close in front at elbow height.
Ensure both feet are placed flat.
Place your elbows onto the table.
Place your palms and fingers firmly together to make a pyramid with your forearms.
Ensure your wrists are as straight as possible
Push your right hand over to the left.
Push your left hand over to the right.
Ensure your wrists do not twist or move towards or away from you.
Move only as far as is comfortable.
Do not force the wrists.
Pendular exercises
Lean onto a table with your good arm, letting your affected arm dangle forwards in front of you.
Using gentle movements of the body, let this arm swing backwards, forwards, side to side, and in circles.
The more you lean your body forwards, the more you will exercise the arm.
Active assisted shoulder flexion in side lying using a ball
Lying on your unaffected side with a ball in front of you.
You may wish to prop the ball up higher to bring it to shoulder height.
Place your affected arm on top of the ball.
You may need some assistance to maintain the position.
Practice moving the ball forwards and backward, straightening and bending your elbow.
