Snapping scapula syndrome: a systematic review of treatment options and outcomes.
Kyle Wallace, John Kyle Mitchell, Bradley J Lauck et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review assessed nonoperative and operative treatments for snapping scapula syndrome (SSS), including 21 studies of 464 patients: 2 randomized trials, 2 cohort studies, and 17 case series. Nonoperative treatment was associated with pain relief at 3–6 months, with mean visual analog scale improvements ranging from 3.7 to 6.0, although symptoms often persisted. Operative treatment improved all reported patient-reported outcome measures, but the cumulative postoperative complication rate was 22%; reoperation rates ranged from 8.3% to 14.3%. Mechanical symptoms were not always fully resolved.
Key findings
- Across 3 studies involving 62 nonoperative procedures, mean visual analog scale improvements ranged from 3.7 to 6.0 at 3–6 months, but symptoms often persisted.
- Operative treatment across 18 studies and 408 procedures improved all reported patient-reported outcome measures.
- The cumulative postoperative complication rate was 22%; 83% of complications involved postoperative pain and persistent crepitus.
- Reported reoperation rates after operative treatment ranged from 8.3% to 14.3%.
Why it matters
The review indicates that both conservative and surgical approaches can reduce pain, while neither reliably eliminates mechanical symptoms. The reported complications and reoperations are relevant when weighing surgery for persistent SSS. However, the evidence base is heterogeneous and largely consists of case series, limiting confidence in comparisons between approaches and in identifying which patients are most likely to benefit.
What to keep in mind
The review reports low-level evidence and substantial heterogeneity in surgical techniques and outcome measures; 17 of the 21 included studies were Level IV case series.