title: Arthroscopic treatment of painful snapping of the scapula by using a new superior portal.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the results of arthroscopic resection of the superomedial corner of the scapula, using a new superior portal, in patients with a snapping scapula problem.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten patients with painful snapping of the scapula were treated arthroscopically using standard portals as well as a recently developed superior arthroscopic portal. There were 4 women and 6 men with a mean age of 26.9 years (range, 16 to 40 years). All patients were right-handed with a right side operation in 8 cases. There was a history of significant shoulder trauma in 6 patients. All patients had normal preoperative computed tomography scans and radiographs. The average duration of symptoms before surgery was 53.2 months (range, 12 to 154 months). At follow-up, the results were scored using the UCLA system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients were followed-up at an average of 11.5 months (range, 3 to 23 months). There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications and, in particular, no neurologic lesions resulting from the introduction of arthroscopic instruments. The scapulothoracic crepitus resolved in 2 patients and decreased in 8 patients. There was reduction of pain in all cases, with a mean postoperative visual analog pain score of 2.6. Nine patients were able to return to their preoperative work and 6 could return to their previous sports activity. According to the UCLA scores, the results were 4 excellent, 5 good, and 1 fair. All patients reported that the procedure was worthwhile.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Arthroscopic surgery is beneficial for patients with painful snapping of the scapula. The new superior portal is safe and has made the operation easier to perform.
authors.affiliation: Department for Sports Surgery, National Institute for Sports Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Attila
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pavlik
authors.forename: Kian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ang
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Coghlan
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012540:Scapula / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome