[Biomechanical problems in acromio plasty of the shoulder joint (author's transl)]

In the confines of the spatium subacromiale, the anatomic structures are subjected to increased wear by friction and convolution. In case of compression syndromes relief is obtained by a partial resection of the acromion, by an acromio plasty, or by a complete removal of the acromion, i.e., the acromionectomy. By analysing the anatomic preparation we have found that a resection of the ligamentum coraco-acromiale and the anterior third of the acromion can give a sufficient decompression without any substantial disturbance of the mechanism of the shoulder girdle, while the acromionectomy implies an unnecessarily extensive procedure which involves considerable disadvantages for the biomechanics of the shoulder girdle.