Rotator Cuff Impingement

The rotator cuff is a common source of pain in the shoulder. Pain can be the result of: Tendinitis. The rotator cuff tendons can be irritated or damaged. The bursa can become inflamed and swell with more fluid causing pain. When you raise your arm to shoulder height, the space between the acromion and rotator cuff narrows.

What Happens During the Procedure?During decompression surgery, a surgeon removes bone tissue to increase the subacromial space, which is located between the shoulder’s ball-and-socket and the bone above it, called the acromion. In a normal shoulder the subacromial space is about 9 to 10 millimeters high.

If this space shrinks just a few millimeters, the rotator cuff and subacromial bursa can become squeezed and a person might feel shoulder impingement symptoms.Decompression surgery can involve one or both of these procedures:. Shaving down the acromion bone in a process called acromioplasty ah-kro-mee-o-plas-ty. Plants vs zombies free full version. Shaving down the underside of the acromion relieves shoulder impingement symptoms by reducing pressure on the rotator cuff and bursa.

Removing bone spurs (called osteophytes) that have developed on the shoulder’s bones. These can rub uncomfortably against the rotator cuff and/or the subacromial bursa.Rotator cuff tears may also be repaired during a subacromial decompression procedure.See.Decompression Surgery for Shoulder Impingement.Removal of the Coracoacromial LigamentSome surgeons think the removal of a ligament at the top of the shoulder, called the coracoacromial ligament, provides better surgical results, while others think removal has a negative effect on long-term shoulder stability.Traditionally, most surgeons who performed shoulder decompression surgery removed the coracoacromial ligament. The ligament blocks the surgeon’s access to the acromion and can make the surgery technically challenging.However, the coracoacromial ligament is now recognized for its role helping to stabilize the shoulder joint, and whether or not it should be removed during surgery is a topic of debate. 1.Petersson CJ, Redlund-johnell I. The subacromial space in normal shoulder radiographs.

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3.De Yan Tien J, Hwee Chye Tan A. Shoulder Impingement Syndrome, A Common Affliction of the Shoulder: A Comprehensive Review. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore. 2014; 23: 297-305.