Shoulder impingement syndrome in athletes treated by an anterior acromioplasty

Shoulder pain caused by a impingement syndrome commonly affects an athlete's performance. Thirty-five shoulders in 33 athletes had an impingement syndrome treated by an anterior acromioplasty after failure of conservative treatment. Thirty-one of 35 shoulders (89%) were subjectively judged improved by the patients from their preoperative status. The moderate and severe pain was reduced from 97% of the shoulders preoperation to 20% postoperation. The pain at rest and with activities of daily living was reduced from 71% of the shoulders preoperation to 9% postoperation. However, only 15 of 35 operated shoulders (43%) allowed return to the same preinjury level of competitive athletics, and only four of 18 athletes involved in pitching and throwing returned to their former preinjury status. This operation is satisfactory for pain relief but does not allow an athlete to return to his former competitive status. A prolonged rehabilitation program may improve the results.