ABSTRACT

Objective:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the recent treatment protocols for Neer stage III subacromial impingement syndrome with open anterior acromioplasty and rotator cuff repair.

Material and Methods:

Twenty-two patients (8 males, 14 females; mean age: 52.9±10.2) who were diagnosed with a rotator cuff tear based on clinical and radiological findings between 2009 and 2010 participated in the study.. We used the open surgical decompression technique which was previously described by Neer. The ruptured tendon ends were isolated and were fixed to the bones with appropriate suture anchors and transosseoz sutures. Preoperative, postoperative and the final follow-up Constant and UCLA shoulder scores were evaluated.

Results:

The mean preoperative Constant score was 34.4±6.6 and UCLA score was 13.8±3.3. The mean postoperative Constant score was 73±7.6 and UCLA score was 31.7±3.3. Significant improvement was observed in postoperative shoulder scores (p<0.01) and postoperative shoulder range of motion in all patients (p<0.01).

Conclusion:

Currently, clinical and functional results of open and arthroscopic subacromial rotator cuff decompression are similar. However, many surgeons prefer the open method and achieve successful results.