ARTHROSCOPIC ACROMIOPLASTY - A 6 TO 10-YEAR FOLLOW-UP

Arthroscopic acromioplasty has become a common procedure for the treat ment of chronic impingement syndrome. Short-term studies have consiste ntly shown good results; however, long-term data have not previously b een reported in the literature. Of 102 consecutive patients undergoing arthroscopic acromioplasty at our institution from 1984 to 1988, 82 p atients (83 shoulders) were available for evaluation. The patients wer e reviewed after a mean of 8 years, 5 months from their original surge ry. There were 16 failures (19%) with unsatisfactory results following surgery; 13 patients (15%) required further surgery to relieve persis tent pain. Thirty-three percent of all patients previously involved in sports were unable to return to overhead and throwing sports due to p ain and lack of power with throwing. Overall, 81% of patients in our s eries had good to excellent results after 6 to 10 years. To optimize t he indications for the procedure, other causes of impingement, such as occult instability and degenerative joint disease, should be ruled ou t. Throwers may have difficulty returning to their sport at the same l evel of intensity, and should be addressed independently.