Fractures of the neck of the scapula are serious because of the fact that there occurs displacement of the broken parts and perfect apposition of the fractured ends is difficult, if not impossible.

Fractures that extend to the articular surface are very serious, and complete recovery in such instances is practically impossible.  The cartilage of prolongation of the scapula is sometimes seriously involved in certain cases of fistulous withers, and in some instances it has been separated from its attachment to the rhomboidea muscles, and lameness has resulted.  In such instances, the upper portion of the scapula is disjoined from all attachment, and with every movement the animal makes, the scapula is moved back and forth.  Complete recovery in such cases does not occur.

Symptomatology.—­Fractures of the scapular spine are ordinarily readily recognized because there is usually visible displacement of the broken part.  Crepitation is also detected without difficulty.

In fractures of the body of the scapula where an examination may be made before much swelling has taken place, and in subjects that are not heavily muscled, one should have no difficulty in recognizing the crepitation.

Fractures of the neck of the scapula are recognized by crepitation, by passively moving the leg, but it is necessary to exclude fractures of the humerus when one depends upon the finding of crepitation by this means.  However, unless undue swelling exists, the exact location of the crepitation is recognized without serious difficulty.

Treatment.—­The treatment of compound fractures of the scapular spine consists in the removal of the broken piece of bone by way of a cutaneous incision so situated that good drainage of the wound will follow.

Simple fractures of the body of the scapula are best treated by placing the subject in a sling, if the animal is halter broken, and enforcing absolute quiet for a period of from three to six weeks.  Splints or similar appliances are not of practical value in scapular fractures.

Compound fractures of the scapula usually result from violence, which at the same time does serious injury to adjacent structures, and it then becomes necessary to administer an expectant treatment, observing general surgical principles and providing in so far as possible for the comfort of the patient.

Scapulohumeral Arthritis.

Anatomy.—­The scapulohumeral joint is an enarthrodial (ball and socket) joint wherein the ball or humeral articulating head greatly exceeds in size the socket or glenoid cavity of the scapula.  The capsular ligament surrounding this joint is very large and admits of free and extensive movement of the articulation.  There exist no lateral or common ligaments jointing the scapula and humerus as in other joints, but instead the tendinous portions of muscles perform this function.  The principal ones which are attached to the scapula and humerus that act as ligaments are the supraspinatus (antea-spinatus), infraspinatus (postea-spinatus) biceps-brachii (flexor brachii) and subscapularis muscles.