Scapular fracture in a high school football player.

Abstract

Scapular fractures are rare in athletes, but they have been reported in professional football players who play high-collision positions. This case report of a painful, nondisplaced scapular fracture in a 17-year-old high school offensive and defensive lineman shows that these fractures can happen even in amateur athletes. A scapular fracture may mimic a rotator cuff injury, as happened initially in this case. Conservative treatment is usually appropriate for these fractures unless there is severe displacement.