Arthroscopic subacromial decompression: results in advanced impingement syndrome.

A study group composed of 25 shoulders in 24 patients underwent arthroscopic subacromial decompression for advanced impingement syndrome. There were no full thickness rotator cuff tears, biceps tendon ruptures, significant acromioclavicular arthrosis, or evidence of glenohumeral instability. Twenty men and four women ranging in age from 18 to 63 years (mean age 37) with dominant arm involvement in 17/24 were evaluated for an average follow-up of 20.3 months (range 14-32) postoperatively. Operative results were based on the UCLA shoulder rating scale. Eighty-eight percent of the cases (22/25) had good or excellent results. Twelve percent had fair results (3/25). There were no poor results. The average UCLA pain score improved from 2.6 preoperative (constant pain) to 7.8 postoperative (occasional pain). Ninety-two percent of the patients were satisfied, said they were better, and that they would have the surgery again. Arthroscopic subacromial decompression is recommended as an alternative to open anterior acromioplasty in advanced impingement syndrome.