Complex injuries of the shoulder are comparatively rare. Within the field of complex shoulder injuries this article particularly deals with the diagnosis and therapy of the "floating shoulder injury" as a review article. This term describes a discontinuation of the osseus and soft tissue suspension of the upper extremity from the axial skeleton. By literature review and involvement of recent biomechanical studies this article will show the injury patterns that lead to instability of the shoulder girdle and the therapeutic to be employed in respective cases. Key words: shoulder, floating shoulder, clavicle fracture, scapula fracture.

Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery University of Freiburg Medical Center Freiburg im Breisgau Germany