Acromioplasty

Acromioplasty or subacromial decompression is used by physicians to provide more room for the rotator cuff tendons thus reducing friction to those tendons which in turn allows the tendons to glide normally. If pain and disability of the shoulder persist, despite nonoperative treatment, this type of surgery may then be recommended. 

During the procedure any bone spurs located on the acromion that the tendon rubs against are removed thereby creating more room for the tendon to glide normally. Simultaneously, the lubricating sac located between the rotator cuff and the underside of the acromion (bursa) that has been inflamed by the impingement process, is also removed.

 

Pre-Treatment

• Speak to your physician and decide if this is the next step for you after all other treatment has failed. 

• Your physician will decide which option is best; either an acromioplasty (resection of bone) or bursectomy (resection of soft tissue) or a combination of both.

 

Procedure

• A combination of general anaesthetic and a nerve block is used. This can cause your shoulder to be numb 12-48 hours following surgery. 

• Small 1 cm incisions are made 

• The inflamed bursal tissue over the rotator cuff is removed

• Any bone spurs or shaving of the acromion bone, which can narrow the space above the rotator cuff, is taken off or removed.

• Usually an outpatient procedure with surgery taking approximately an hour.

 

Post-Treatment

• Someone will need to drive you home.

• Use of a sling for a short period of time

• Sutures are removed 1 week post-op

• Physical Therapy

• Recovery should be seen in the 6-8 week range and a full recovery in 3 months

 

Risks

• Persistent Shoulder Pain

• Frozen Shoulder

• Nerve Damage

 

Most surgical procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis. The surgical procedure in the majority of cases involves minimally invasive shoulder arthroscopy. Through the use of a tiny fiber optic scope and other small instruments inserted through small incisions, your Rothman physician can perform the bony shaving and bursal removal under video control. This eliminates the need for a large, open incision.