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TREATMENT OF CHRONIC ROTATOR-CUFF IMPINGEMENT BY ARTHROSCOPIC SUBACROMIAL DECOMPRESSION

R. W. Nutton, MD, FRCS, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon; J. M. McBirnie, FRCS, Senior Registrar; and C. Phillips, MCSP, Senior Physiotherapist

Princess Margaret Rose Orthopaedic Hospital, 41-43 Frogston Road West, Edinburgh EH10 7ED, UK.

Correspondence should be sent to Mr R. W. Nutton.

We report a prospective study of 49 patients who had arthroscopic subacromial decompression for chronic rotator-cuff impingement. All patients were assessed preoperatively and at 3, 6 and 12 months using the modified UCLA shoulder score.

The dominant arm was affected in 35 patients, but only 13 recognised overuse as a cause of their shoulder pain. Before operation, the UCLA shoulder score was poor or fair in all patients. After three months only 28% of patients had satisfactory relief of symptoms but at one year 85% of patients examined had a good or excellent result. Patients with calcific tendonitis recovered more quickly: 93% reported a good result at six months.

We conclude that arthroscopic subacromial decompression is an effective form of treatment, but that patients should be warned that recovery from surgery may be prolonged.






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Hip, Knee, Trauma, Upper limb, Foot & Ankle, Paediatrics, Oncology, Spine, Arthroplasty, General