Non-pathological bony features causing snapping scapula syndrome : a study with correlation to gender and side

Abstract

A patient of snapping scapula usually presents with perceivable, appreciable and agonizing crepitus during the movements of scapula.  This study aimed at focusing on bony features which are responsible for snapping scapula and study their incidence, morphology and correlation to gender and side of the scapula.  The study was performed on 50 pairs of the human scapula of known sex in the Department of Anatomy at PGIMS Rohtak. The parameters recorded were medial scapular border morphology, presence of Tubercle of Luschka and the presence of Teres major tubercle or process. The most common type of medial scapular border was found to be Convex (73%) followed by Straight and Concave types. Luschka’s tubercle was observed in only 6% of the scapula. Teres Major tubercle was present in 29% of the scapula, whereas Teres Major process was present in only 11% of the scapula and the process was curved in only 2% of the scapula.  These findings are very important for orthopaedic point of view in the diagnosis and treatment of snapping scapula syndrome.