SNAPPING SCAPULA SYNDROME - 3 CASE-REPORTS AND AN ANALYSIS OF THE LITERATURE

The snapping scapula syndrome is an infrequently described source of s houlder discomfort characterized by painful, audible, and/or palpable abnormal scapulothoracic motion, The syndrome may be caused by skeleta l or soft-tissue abnormalities that interfere with articulation betwee n the scapula and the rib cage, Often, no obvious source of the snappi ng can be identified with imaging studies. Three new cases with electr odiagnostic and imaging studies are presented. For the first time a cr itical analysis and review by diagnoses, gender, age, treatment, and o utcome of 89 reported cases is presented. Accurate recognition of the syndrome may lead to prompt and long-term relief of symptoms by conser vative or surgical treatment. (C) 1997 by the American Congress of Reh abilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.