Summary
A seven-month-old cat was referred, after having been missing for one week, for evaluation
and treatment of a right forelimb injury and facial fractures. On physical examination,
a moderate partial weight-bearing lameness of the right forelimb was present, with
palpable crepitus in the glenohumeral joint. Dental radiographs revealed a midline
palatal fracture and rostral fractures of the left maxillary canine alveolar bone.
Radiographs of the right shoulder revealed a Type III or intraarticular fracture of
the scapula with moderate displacement of the fracture at the articular surface. Early
fibrous healing of the fracture was observed and the caudal aspect of the medial glenohumeral
ligament was ruptured. Due to the chronicity, reduction and stabilization was not
attempted. Instead, the caudal aspect of the medial glenohumeral ligament was incised
along its origin and approximately 30% of the glenoid was removed. The caudal glenohumeral
ligament was attached to the subscapularis muscle. Three years after surgery, the
owner reported that the cat continued to experience no visible lameness and led an
active lifestyle. This case report demonstrates that a partial caudal scapulectomy
can result in full return of function of the forelimbs in cats with scapular fractures,
especially when joint involvement is severe and the articular cartilage is affected.
To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of a partial scapulectomy, utilized
for fracture management, in the veterinary literature.
Keywords
Partial scapulectomy - cat - caudal glenoid fracture - scapula
