What is Snapping Scapula

Snapping scapula is a condition in which the shoulder blade (scapula) rubs against the rib cage and causes a “snapping” sound or feeling. This can cause pain and problems with shoulder function.

Snapping scapula is usually caused by abnormalities in the scapula bone or the tissues that are near the scapula.

This condition can go away with proper treatment. However, in some cases it may be a long-term (chronic) condition.

Snapping scapula may cause inflammation and pain in the fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that are between the scapula and the rib cage. This condition is called bursitis, and it can cause snapping scapula or make it worse.

What are the causes?

This condition may be caused by:

• Rubbing or grating of an abnormal scapula surface over the ribs.
• Injury to the muscles that surround the scapula. This can happen due to overuse of the arm and shoulder.
• Soft tissue growths or masses.
• Bursitis.
• Scapula instability due to loss of muscle tissue (atrophy).

What increases the risk?

The following factors may make you more likely to develop this condition:

• Playing contact or collision sports, especially sports that involve throwing.
• Having poor shoulder strength and flexibility.
• Doing activities that involve overhead lifting or reaching.
• Having broken (fractured) your scapula or your ribs before.

What are the signs or symptoms?

The main symptom of this condition is a snapping, grating, crackling, or popping sound that comes from the shoulder. You may feel this in your back or chest. This may cause pain or discomfort in the shoulder area. In some cases, snapping scapula is painless.

Other symptoms may include:

• A bump on the scapula.
• A feeling of fullness of the scapula.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition is diagnosed with a physical exam and tests, including:

• X-rays.
• MRI.
• CT scan.

How is this treated?

Treatment for this condition may include:

• Exercises to strengthen and stretch your muscles. Your health care provider may show you how to do these exercises. You may be given the name of a physical therapist.
• Medicines to help relieve pain.
• Medicines to help reduce inflammation (corticosteroids). Corticosteroids may be injected into your shoulder.
• This is rare.
• Surgery to remove the inflamed bursae, the bone abnormality, or the excess soft tissue. Usually, this is only done when other treatment methods do not work.

Follow these instructions at home:

General instructions

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Do not drive or operate heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.
• If directed, apply ice to the injured area:
  • Put ice in a plastic bag.
  • Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
  • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times per day.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Activity

• Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
• Avoid activities that make your condition worse or cause pain.
• If directed, apply heat to the affected area before you exercise. Use the heat source that your health care provider recommends, such as a moist heat pack or a heating pad.
  • Place a towel between your skin and the heat source.
  • Leave the heat on for 20–30 minutes.
  • Remove the heat if your skin turns bright red. This is especially important if you are unable to feel pain, heat, or cold. You may have a greater risk of getting burned.
• Do exercises as told by your health care provider or physical therapist.

How is this prevented?

• Wear protective equipment when you participate in contact sports.
• Use correct athletic technique.
• Warm up and stretch properly before physical activity.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have symptoms that get worse or do not improve after 2 weeks of treatment.
• You have pain that does not get better with medicine.
• You have constant pain.
• You develop new, unexplained symptoms.
• You notice muscle weakness on the affected side.

Get help right away if:

• You have severe pain.