Arthroscopic treatment of bilateral snapping scapula syndrome: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Snapping scapula syndrome represents a rare entity in shoulder surgery. Clinically, it presents as shoulder pain and loud crepitus during shoulder movement. Moreover, glenohumeral bursitis can cause additional pain. Snapping scapula syndrome is caused by an increased angulation of the superomedial part of the scapula combined with bursitis. Other common causes such as subscapular osteochondroma or rib fracture non-unions were excluded. We report a 24-year-old female patient with persisting shoulder pain and disturbing crepitus during movement of the left shoulder. Radiographic examination revealed increased angulation of the superomedial scapula on both sides and MRI, bursitis of the left shoulder. The patient was successfully treated with minimally invasive arthroscopic trimming of the prominent osseous formation at the left scapula combined with bursectomy. Additionally, specific pain-adapted physiotherapeutic exercises of both shoulders were performed. The patient had a pain-free shoulder movement without crepitus on both sides at the 6th month follow-up.