Regeneration of the coracoacromial ligament after acromioplasty and arthroscopic subacromial decompression

The clinical observation of apparent and complete regeneration of the corac oacromial ligament cider known partial excision of the ligament and acromio plasty has been investigated. Ten patients who had open revision surgery fo llowing failure of symptomatic relief after arthroscopic subacromial decomp ression were studied. All of them had acromioplasty with documented partial resection of the coracoacromial ligament at the first operation. There wer e 5 men and 5 women with an average age of 54.5 years (range, 44-65 years), In all patients surgery revealed a ligamentous structure resembling the co racoacromial ligament that was attached to the anterior acromion. Histology in all patients revealed appearances indistinguishable from normal ligamen t, which was in continuity with the reformed periosteum of the acromion.