FRACTURES OF THE CORACOID PROCESS

We have reviewed 12 fractures of the coracoid process. In two of these patients the fracture extended into the body of the scapula and resulted in displacement of the glenoid. In some cases, there were associated acromioclavicular and glenohumeral dislocations or fractures of the clavicle and the acromion. Two patients required internal fixation to restore congruence of the glenoid; the others were treated conservatively with success. We present a new classification of coracoid fractures which helps in their management. J Bone Joint Surg fBr] 1995:77-B:425-8. Received 16 Ma /994: Accepted 13 Septeniher 1994 Fractures of the coracoid are uncommon, occurring in about 2 % to 5 % of all scapular fractures (Wilber and Evans 1977; Ada and Miller 1991). They are caused by direct trauma (Boyer 1975; Sandrock 1975; Froimson 1978) or by avulsion, either by the coraco-clavicular ligaments during an acromioclavicular dislocation (Benton and Nelson 1971