Snapping Scapula Syndrome

Question

After complaining of scapula pain for months, an MRI was done and I needed rotator cuff repair, and my bicep was releaseed. I went to therapy post op and seem to have recovered from the surgery just fine. The problem is the scapula pain is back and hurting worse than before. The scapula rubs and clicks when moved. It feels like a pinched nerve and is making me suicidal. Have tried several antii inflamitorys as well as narcotics with little relief. My doctor has said I should learn to "live with the pain". I just don't think anyone should have to if there may be a solution. I have found a few MD's who have successfully treated symptoms similar to mine, but they are over 1000 miles away. I believe I could have scapulothoracic bursa that are inflamed, some interference to a nerve that is close to my scapula, or perhaps just muscle atrophy . I can't get any ortho in Spokane to address these issues. Is it because they don't know or don't want to be bothered. One ortho said " snapping scapula isn't painfull". It's not imagined-IT HURTS like ***l.
Any suggestions ? I was looking at the MAYO clinic in Minn as a last option.. Thanks

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I completely uderstand your frustration. I am daling with the same thing I think i have snapping scapula syndrome. All i can say is **** the doctor that told you to live in pain. Keep searching for a doctor. I hear Mass  General Hospital is an excellent place that can treat almost any shoulder problems. Good LUCK!!!I been like in miserable pain for 2 years. I am looking into surgery as well.

Anonymous · Answer

I have dealt with this problem "Syndrome" since my early 20's. I am now in mylate 30's,and it consumes my every waking moments. The pain is intense!,andI too am at a point where conventional treatments have passed. On a "guineapig scale" (Try this/try that/It must be you/When did it start/etc..etc..) I amat a 9 (1-10) The word surgery was first introduced to me when I was 24,andthat was to do some scraping of my scapula. All was ok with the Dr. until hedeveloped a semi-hateful tone one afternoon in 1995. I did not return to thatortho physician. I have had several doctors who seem willing to mention surgery,but they are not willing to approach my "Syndrome" with earnest care.As I say I am at a level 9. My quality of life is not! This does nothing for me interms of emotional balance. It is no wonder that a person would become enhancely depressed. The medications,The Therapies,The Frustration,The Pain!! Getting any doctor to understand the amount of Pain this "Syndrome"causes is without a doubt a huge problem. Most Physicians always want youto "prove" to them what it sounds like (Push against the wall/Twist this way)When pain is soo bad that even minimal movement is added into the  process of elimination in one's life. This is serious. I would have never,ever envisionedmy life being this way. I used to love activities/Hobbies,Now I am scared as***l as to what my limitations are. I cant be myself without popping in a vast amount of pills. The idea of any surgery freaks me out. I do say that had I been in my 50's or 60's when this "Syndrome" started I would not be sent on countless years of (Try this /Try that) promoting. The perception is vastlydifferent when age is factored in. Youth,is supposed to present itself as strong and sustainable. Some of the best years of my life have been spentbattling my progressive pain. Doctors often ask,What gives you relief? and my answer is always REM Sleep (unconscious sleep) They expect you to answerwith a prescription or some other pill. That is the only time I am truly withoutpain. Now,getting to that kind of sleep is a task in itself...........Insomnia! Allthis explanation is what gets vested in this "Syndrome" or as I like to say to ease my burden....Snapping Crapula! As i said,This is serious,and anyone who reads this or any other thread regarding this "Snapping Scapula Syndrome" isresearching,looking,and processing a culmination of history.-Please Reply-

Anonymous · Answer

I was diagnosed with snapping shoulder syndrome in 1996 and was discharged from the military.  but the VA doctors here in Penna. seem to down play my symptoms untill i got a congressman involved then i was given a true evaluation and was told i have Scapula bursitis which he said it is a form of arthritis and to live with the pain and i have.  But when i have a flare up i can take a knife to my neck and shoulders and cut out the pain and feel as if i won't even feel it.  I had to get 2 kidney tests and a liver test because the naproxyn that i take is effecting the fucton of these organs.  I really don't want surgery from a doctor who down plays my condition and i heard rumors that the surgery is quite invasive.  Any suggestions please reply.

Anonymous · Answer

I had a "snapping" in my shoulder and it was diagnosed without imaging to be a bursa.BursitisI was given steriods to take for five days.  It took all five days, but it is now gone!!! A lung/sleep specialist diagnosed it.  An older doctor who knows his stuff!!!  Check into bursa, bursitis.Good luck!

Snappy · Answer

Okay everyone - take heart - I think I have the answer we've been looking for.  I joined this site just so I could share this information - I don't want anyone to go through what I have.  After 19 years of pain/aches/10 doctors/five different diagnosis'/pt/cortisone shots and cervical disc injections, I have finally been diagnosed with snapping scapula.  (I did this on my own by googling my symptoms last week after having another ortho. surgeon tell me I needed disc replacement surgery.)  I ran across the name Dr. Gregory Nicholson at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush Medical Center in Chicago, got a referral, and an office visit within three days.  He confirmed my own diagnosis.  He has performed over 50 surgical procedures called a Scapulothoracic Bursectomy - with a very high success rate - 75% pain free and the rest with a little pain - but much better than they were.   My surgery is scheduled for June.  It's a one-night hospital stay, arm in a sling for four weeks, and a return to full use (even if you're a brick layer) in approx. 3.5 months.  To FINALLY see a light at the end of a very long tunnel is indescribable.  You can read a portion of a surgical follow up study he did at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov - look it up under his name:  Nicholson GP or Scapulothoracic bursectomy for snapping scapula syndrome.  Or google his name and snapping scapula and see what comes up.  He just had a doctor from Kansas fly up to Chicago to have him perform this surgery - if another doctor trusted him with his body I guess I can.  (Plus he's also listed as a team doc for the White Sox and Bulls.)   I will try to follow up on this forum after I have the surgery in mid-June.  By the way, if you don't want this problem, I wouldn't recommend water skiing backwards around a lake trying to impress your new husband and his co-workers.  (That was 19 years ago - I'm wiser now.)  Hope this helps!

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