Conservative open acromioplasty

Chronic rotator-cuff syndrome with impingement is satisfactorily treated by acromioplasty by both open and arthroscopic techniques, but the Neer operation with deltoid detachment requires a prolonged rehabilitation. Arthroscopic acromioplasty reduces recovery time but is a difficult procedure. McShane, Leinberry and Fenlin (1987) described a conservative open anterior technique with good results and shortened rehabilitation. A similar technique has been used in 25 patients with an average age of 46 years. After a mean follow-up of 24 months, 80% were very satisfied and none was dissatisfied. The average recovery times were 2.7 weeks for activities of daily living, 1.9 months for return to work and 3.7 months for all activities including overhead manual labour.