Publication:

Determination of various etiological factors for diagnosis of non traumatic scapulo costal syndrome

Background Scapulocostal syndrome, also known as "snapping scapula," is an under-recognized problem involving overhead or throwing motion of the upper extremities. It is often described as a snapping or grinding sensation accompanied with pain as the scapula touches the chest wall and an audible or palpable click near the anteromedial scapula.

Method A prospective observational study was performed at one of the biggest tertiary care centres of central India from September 2021 to March 2023. A total of 50 patients were included in this study. Patient were evaluated clinically in OPD for pain in Scapulothoracic region. All the suspected patients underwent various investigations like X-ray, ultrasonography, electromyography, nerve conduction velocity study, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) depending on the condition to reach a diagnosis. The data was recorded and evaluated.

Results A total of 50 patients were included in the study, 30 were females and 20 males, 50 % of our patients were diagnosed with supraspinatus tendinosis, 8 patients were found to have bicipital tendinitis, 3 patients had acromioclavicular joint arthritis, 2 patients developed pain because of glenohumeral joint arthropathy, subscapularis tendinitis. There were some other conditions as well diagnosed in few patients with the help of various investigations.

Conclusions It was found that there were various reasons for pain in patients diagnosed clinically with scapulocostal syndrome. Dominant hand affection was more common. The clinical investigations play a major role in diagnosing these conditions and planning the treatment.