Glenoid Fracture: Conservative Treatment Versus Surgical Treatment

ABSTRACT: Glenoid fossa fractures are rare. The indication for conservative or surgical  treatment is controversial, especially because of limited reports in the literature. Many authors  prefer conservative treatment for most types of glenoid fractures to the alternate surgical  treatment, but long-term follow-up is rarely reported. We report on four patients with  displaced, intra-articular glenoid fossa, who were treated either surgically or conservatively.  After an average 7-year followup, clinical and radiographic results were satisfactory in all  patients. Based on the literature and our limited experience, we recommend that conservative  treatment be considered as a good option for displaced intra-articular glenoid fossa fracture.