Vincent Hardy1, Louis Rony2, Julien Bächler2, Luc Favard3, Laurent Hubert2. 1. Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Tours, Hôpital Trousseau, Avenue de la République, 37170 Chambray-lès-Tours, France. Electronic address: vincent.hardy@hotmail.fr. 2. Centre Hospitalier Universitaire d'Angers, Département de Chirurgie Osseuse, 4 Rue Larrey, 49100 Angers, France. 3. Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Tours, Hôpital Trousseau, Avenue de la République, 37170 Chambray-lès-Tours, France; Faculté de Médecine de Tours, 10 Boulevard Tonnelé, 37032 Tours cedex 1, France.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Critical shoulder angle (CSA)>35° correlates significantly with primary rotator cuff tear and re-tear after repair. Acromial axial orientation varies between individuals. The present study aimed to assess the impact of strictly anterior acromioplasty on CSA. HYPOTHESIS: CSA is reduced by arthroscopic anterior acromioplasty. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A single-center retrospective study included patients receiving isolated arthroscopic acromioplasty between January 2016 and December 2017. Exclusion criteria comprised history of surgery and fracture or dislocation of the shoulder. Pre- and post-operative AP shoulder radiographs were taken. The angle subtended by a line between the inferior and superior edges of the glenoid and a line between the inferior edge of the glenoid and the most lateral point on the acromion was measured. RESULTS: One hundred and two patients were included: mean age, 50.5±10.1 years (range, 23-82 years). Mean CSA was 34.7±4.4° (range, 26-48°) preoperatively and 31.7±3.7° (range, 23-40°) postoperatively (p<0.001). In the group with CSA >35°, the decrease was significant: 34.4±3.2° (range, 28-40°) versus 38.9±2.8° (range, 36-48°) (p<0.001), with 64% CSA <35° after isolated anterior acromioplasty. DISCUSSION: CSA was decreased by arthroscopic acromioplasty. However, in 36% of cases with preoperative CSA >35°, CSA was not normalized. CONCLUSION: Anterior arthroscopic acromioplasty significantly reduced CSA in the overall population, and especially in case of high CSA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV; retrospective study.
INTRODUCTION: Critical shoulder angle (CSA)>35° correlates significantly with primary rotator cuff tear and re-tear after repair. Acromial axial orientation varies between individuals. The present study aimed to assess the impact of strictly anterior acromioplasty on CSA. HYPOTHESIS: CSA is reduced by arthroscopic anterior acromioplasty. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A single-center retrospective study included patients receiving isolated arthroscopic acromioplasty between January 2016 and December 2017. Exclusion criteria comprised history of surgery and fracture or dislocation of the shoulder. Pre- and post-operative AP shoulder radiographs were taken. The angle subtended by a line between the inferior and superior edges of the glenoid and a line between the inferior edge of the glenoid and the most lateral point on the acromion was measured. RESULTS: One hundred and two patients were included: mean age, 50.5±10.1 years (range, 23-82 years). Mean CSA was 34.7±4.4° (range, 26-48°) preoperatively and 31.7±3.7° (range, 23-40°) postoperatively (p<0.001). In the group with CSA >35°, the decrease was significant: 34.4±3.2° (range, 28-40°) versus 38.9±2.8° (range, 36-48°) (p<0.001), with 64% CSA <35° after isolated anterior acromioplasty. DISCUSSION: CSA was decreased by arthroscopic acromioplasty. However, in 36% of cases with preoperative CSA >35°, CSA was not normalized. CONCLUSION: Anterior arthroscopic acromioplasty significantly reduced CSA in the overall population, and especially in case of high CSA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV; retrospective study.