Arthroscopic Treatment of Snapping Scapula Syndrome With Scapulothoracic Bursectomy and Partial Scapulectomy

Snapping scapula syndrome (SSS) is a painful and debilitating condition that occurs as a result of disruption of normal scapulothoracic articulation and inflammation of numerous soft tissue and bursal structures that function to facilitate scapulothoracic motion. Historically, when nonoperative management of SSS failed, patients progressed to open surgical management. However, as arthroscopic techniques have evolved, the condition has been increasingly treated arthroscopically because of the minimally invasive nature, periscapular muscle-preserving approach with decreased risk to surrounding neurovascular structures, better intraoperative visualization, and quicker patient recovery and rehabilitation. The objective of this Technical Note is to describe our arthroscopic approach for the management of SSS using two portals to complete a scapulothoracic bursectomy and partial scapulectomy of the superomedial scapula. Level of Evidence: Level I: shoulder.