THE ROLE OF ACROMIOPLASTY IN THE TREATMENT OF SUBACROMIAL IMPINGEMENT SYNDROME

Abstract

Introduction: Although acromioplasty is routinely used in treatment of subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS), there is some controversy about the role of acromion morphology in the etiology. This study compares retrospectively early results of the patients who underwent acromioplasty or debridement alone for SIS.
Patients and methods: Thirty patients that were operated for SIS between 1992 and 2002 were evaluated. Group 1 implicated 14 cases that were performed open acromioplasty and 16 patients without acromioplasty (only bursectomy and spur excision) included Group 2. Clinical evaluations were performed according to Constant scores as well as subjectively and results of the groups were compared between each other
Results: The mean ages of the cases were 56 and 52 respectively. In Group 1, preoperative average Constant score was 51 while it was found 86.7 in the follow-up. The cases of Group 2 had 52.3 of preoperative mean scores and this improved to 88. According to patient’s subjective evaluations, satisfactory results were 86 % and 94% in Group 1 and Group 2 respectively.
Discussion: No significant difference was observed between 2 groups that underwent acromioplasty or debridement alone. Acromion and coracoacromial ligaments provide passive stabilization against upward migration of humeral head and they play an important role in biomechanic of shoulder. These structures should not be destroyed routinely in every SIS basing theories that accuses acromion morphology.