Thirty-six consecutive patients who underwent revision decompression for re
fractory subacromial impingement were studied retrospectively. Average inte
rval from the primary decompression procedure to revision was 29 months. Ei
ghteen patients underwent arthroscopic and 18 underwent open revision. Six
(33%) patients in the arthroscopic group and 12 (67%) patients in the open
group were workers' compensation cases.
At an average follow-up of 26 months, 17 (94%) patients in the arthroscopic
group and 8 (44%) in the open group were satisfied with their procedure. C
omparing workers' compensation patients, 5 of 6 in the arthroscopic group a
nd 4 of 12 in the open group were satisfied. For nonworkers' compensation p
atients, all 12 patients in the arthroscopic group and 4 of 6 in the open g
roup were satisfied. Average pain scores and postoperative range of motion
was improved in both groups. Dense subacromial scarring with thick, fibrous
adhesions was present in all patients. Residual, prominent bone, or an acr
omial spur was found in 20 (56%) patients.
Overall, revision arthroscopic subacromial decompression was superior to op
en revision. However, there were more workers' compensation patients in the
open group. Workers' compensation patients fared worse for both groups, bu
t a significant proportion (83%) of the arthroscopic group was satisfied. S
ince subacromial scarring may be the most important pathology, arthroscopy
is less invasive, allowing earlier, unrestricted postoperative rehabilitati
on and proving more effective.