The purpose of this study was to compare the characteristics and clinical features of greater tuberosity fractures with or without a shoulder dislocation.

A total of 108 cases of greater tuberosity fractures (56 cases with shoulder dislocation, 52 cases without shoulder dislocation) were reviewed retrospectively. Age, sex, side, injury mechanism, fracture displacement, fracture morphology, number of fracture fragments, main fragment size, treatment, and combined injuries were investigated.

The age, sex, side, injury mechanism, treatment, and combined injuries were similar in both groups (p>0.05). A statistically significant difference in fracture displacement, fracture morphology, number of fracture fragment, and main fragment size was observed between the two groups (p<0.05).

In greater tuberosity fractures with a shoulder dislocation, the prevalence of fracture displacement was high and the depression type of fractures occurred frequently. In addition, the number and size of the fracture fragment increased. Therefore, an understanding of these fracture patterns will be helpful for deciding treatment and prognosis.