Does lifting or rotating your shoulder lead to an audible snapping or crackling sound? Are overhead movements difficult or painful? If so, you may be dealing with a condition known as snapping scapular syndrome. It’s far from the most serious shoulder condition, but at the same time, if it’s causing pain or limiting your ability to perform tasks comfortably, it’s worth treating. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at the causes and treatment options for snapping scapula syndrome.
The Causes And Symptoms Of Snapping Scapular Syndrome
Snapping scapular syndrome is less of a diagnosis in and of itself and more of a symptom of other conditions. It involves the snapping or audible popping of bones and tissue in the shoulder when lifting and moving the arm. At its core, it can be caused by bone malformation, inflamed bursa sacs between the scapular and rib cage or muscle dysfunction that pulls the scapular closer to the rib cage, causing the structures to grind against one another during normal movement.
A number of different factors can contribute to scapular snapping syndrome, with some of the most common risk factors being:
- Repetitive arm motion (particularly overhead motions like throwing or stocking shelves)
- Poor form during athletics
- Incorrect posture
- Prolonged stress leading to muscle tension in the head and neck
- Shoulder weakness or muscular asymmetry
- Imperfect healing following a scapular fracture
Aside from an audible snapping or clicking sound when moving your arm and shoulder, some of the more common symptoms associated with the condition include shoulder weakness, visible asymmetry of the shoulders, a noticeable difference in movement patterns between the two shoulders and shoulder pain, especially when reaching outward or above the head. It is most likely to affect younger adults and teens that put a lot of repetitive stress on their shoulder, but it can also develop in patients following direct trauma to the shoulder region.
Diagnosing And Treating Scapular Snapping Syndrome
If you head to your primary care physician or a shoulder specialist to see if you may be dealing with snapping scapular syndrome, they’ll likely begin by asking you a number of different questions about the condition. When did you first notice pain? What movements make discomfort worse or better? Is discomfort contained to the shoulder, or does it traverse to your forearm or neck? All of this helps the provider understand if snapping scapular syndrome is the most likely culprit or if something else, like a nerve issue, may be the true problem.
From there, they’ll begin a physical examination of the shoulder. Not only will they assess your shoulder with their hands and eyes, but they’ll likely ask you to perform some simple movements to see if they can produce this snapping sound or learn more about which specific positions are causing discomfort. To confirm their suspicions or rule out other potential issues, the specialist may get a closer look at the scapula with the help of an X-ray or MRI.
If your doctor believes that your scapular popping is tied to a soft tissue abnormality or related to overuse or poor movement patterns, they’ll likely recommend conservative care as the first line of treatment. This typically involves a short period of rest and protection with hot/cold therapy, anti-inflammatory medications and an extended period of physical therapy. Professional PT works to strengthen the shoulder region and teach and restore optimal movement patterns. Many people will notice a decrease or a full alleviation of symptoms after a few weeks of physical therapy. At a minimum, it should provide enough relief that surgical correction is not warranted.
In more extreme cases, especially in cases that involve major dysfunction and severe symptoms, a minimally invasive corrective procedure may be recommended. The specific nature of the procedure will depend on the underlying cause of your symptoms, but it may involve removing bone spurs or abnormal bone formations that are contributing to tissue damage and the audible snapping sound you hear during movement. A patient can expect to pursue weeks of physical therapy following any corrective procedure.
Contact a Knoxville Shoulder Surgeon
So if you are dealing with shoulder pain that is accompanied by a snapping sound or clicking sensation, have your shoulder looked at by a professional. Symptoms are likely to worsen without targeted treatment, so don’t put off care any longer. For more information, or for assistance managing a different shoulder issue, connect with Dr. Holloway and his team today at (865) 410-7887.
