Botulinum toxin as adjunct therapy in surgical management of a periprosthetic scapular spine fracture: a case report

Six months after undergoing reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) a 73-year-old woman sustained a periprosthetic scapular spine fracture following a fall. She was treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), followed by botulinum toxin injection into the deltoid muscle to temporarily minimize strain at the fracture. Fracture union was achieved by three months, with excellent clinical function more than one year following fracture fixation and full resolution of deltoid function. Scapular spine fracture following RSA can be treated with ORIF and temporary deltoid paralysis using botulinum toxin in the immediate postoperative period to safely support fracture healing.