Surgeon Factors and Trends Associated With the Use of Subacromial Decompression at the Time of Rotator Cuff Repair.

PURPOSE: Subacromial decompression (SAD) has historically been described as an essential part of the surgical treatment of rotator cuff disorders. However, investigations throughout the 21st century have increasingly questioned the need for routine SAD during rotator cuff repair (RCR). Our purpose was to assess for changes in the incidence of SAD performed during RCR over a 12-year period. In addition, we aimed to characterize surgeon and practice factors associated with SAD use. METHODS: Records from two large tertiary referral systems in the United States from 2010 to 2021 were reviewed. All cases of RCR with and without SAD were identified. The outcome of interest was the proportion of SAD performed during RCR across years and by surgeon. Surgeon-specific characteristics included institution, fellowship training, surgical volume, academic practice, and years in practice. Yearly trends were assessed using binomial logistic regression modeling, with a random effect accounting for surgeon-specific variability. RESULTS: During the study period, 37,165 RCR surgeries were performed by 104 surgeons. Of these cases, 71% underwent SAD during RCR. SAD use decreased by 11%. The multivariable model found that surgeons in academic practice, those with lower surgical volume, and those with increasing years in practice were significantly associated with increased odds of performing SAD. Surgeons with fellowship training were significantly more likely to use SAD over time, with the greatest odds of SAD noted for sports medicine surgeons (odds ratio = 3.04). CONCLUSIONS: Although SAD use during RCR appears to be decreasing, multiple surgeon and practice factors (years in practice, fellowship training, volume, and academic practice) are associated with a change in SAD use. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These data suggest that early-career surgeons entering practice are likely driving the trend of declining SAD. Despite evidence suggesting limited clinical benefits, SAD remains commonly performed; future studies should endeavor to determine factors associated with practice changes among surgeons.

[Evidence-based versus expertise-based medicine in orthopedic and trauma surgery : There is nothing more practical than a good theory]. / Evidenzbasierte Medizin versus Erfahrungsmedizin in Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie : Es gibt nichts Praktischeres als eine gute Theorie.

About a quarter of a century after the introduction of the concept and principles of evidence-based medicine (EbM), some healthcare providers are still adamant that these are incompatible with knowledge gained through experience. Across the surgical disciplines, it is often argued EbM underestimates or neglects the importance of intuition and surgical skills. To put it bluntly, these assumptions are wrong and often characterized by a misunderstanding of the methodology of EbM. Even the best controlled trial cannot be properly interpreted or implemented without clinical reasoning; furthermore, clinicians of all disciplines are obligated to provide care according to the current state of scientific knowledge. In an era of revolutionary biomedical developments, exponential increase of research but incremental innovations, they must become familiar with pragmatic tools to appraise the validity and relevance of clinical study results, and to decide whether there is a need to adapt current beliefs and practices based on the new information. We herein use the recent example of a new medical device for the surgical treatment of rotator cuff tears and subacromial impingement syndrome to illustrate how important it is to interpret data in the context of a precise, answerable question and to combine clinical expertise with methodological principles offered by EbM.

Is it the subcoracoid impingement or the subacromial impingement that tears the subscapularis tendon? A comparison of the MRI findings of the operated and healthy shoulders of the patients.

BACKGROUND: : The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the etiological factors accepted as causes of idiopathic subscapularis tears are true or not when the comparison is made with the opposite side healthy shoulder of the patients who underwent arthroscopic repair for an isolated subscapularis tear. METHODS: Sixteen patients who underwent shoulder arthroscopy between February 2016 and January 2018 and were diagnosed with isolated subscapularis tear were evaluated. The coracohumeral distance (CHDax), coracoid overlap (CO), and tuberculum minus cysts (TMC) were evaluated on the axial images of the MRI studies while the acromiohumeral distance (AHDsag), CHDsag, and subscapularis tendon slip number (STSN) on the sagittal oblique images and the AHDcor and SLAP lesion on the coronal oblique images. Degeneration of the coracoacromial ligament was evaluated during arthroscopy. RESULTS: The mean CHDsag (11.26-10.08), CHDax (10.63-9.98), CO (14.2-15.43), AHDsag (8-7.66), and AHDcor (7.65-7.68) measurements (operated side-healthy side, respectively) were statistically similar (p > 0.05). No statistically significant difference was found between TMC and STSN in healthy and operated shoulders (p > 0.05). There was mild coracoacromial ligament fraying in 4 (25%) and obvious coracoacromial ligament fraying in 8 (50%) which indicated subacromial impingement in 75% of the patients. DISCUSSION: The parameters of the coracoid process did not reveal any significant difference between the operated (for an isolated subscapularis tear) and opposite-side healthy shoulders of the patients. However, coracoacromial ligament degeneration was present in 75% of the patients.

Surgery for subacromial impingement syndrome and occupational biomechanical risk factors in a 16-year prospective study among male construction workers.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the association between occupational biomechanical exposures and the occurrence of surgical treatment for subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS). METHODS: A cohort of 220 295 male constructions workers who participated in a national occupational health surveillance program (1971-1993) were examined prospectively over a 16-year follow-up period (2001-2016) for surgically treated SIS. Worker job title, smoking status, height, weight, and age were registered on health examination. Job titles were mapped to 21 occupational groups based on tasks and training. A job exposure matrix (JEM) was developed with exposure estimates for each occupational group. Surgical cases were determined through linkage with the Swedish national in- and outpatient registers. Poisson regression was used to assess the relative risks (RR) for each biomechanical exposure. RESULTS: The total incidence rate of surgically treated SIS over the 16-year observation period was 201.1 cases per 100 000 person-years. Increased risk was evident for workers exposed to upper-extremity loading (push/pull/lift) (RR 1.45-2.30), high hand grip force (RR 1.47-2.23), using handheld tools (RR 1.52-2.09), frequent work with hands above shoulders (RR 1.62-2.11), static work (RR 1.77-2.26), and hand-arm vibration (RR 1.78-2.13). There was an increased risk for SIS surgery for all occupational groups (construction trades) compared with white-collar workers (RR 1.56-2.61). CONCLUSIONS: Occupational upper-extremity load and posture exposures were associated with increased risk for surgical treatment of SIS, which underlines the need for reducing workplace exposures and early symptom detection in highly exposed occupational groups.

Editorial Commentary: Arthroscopic Treatment Should No Longer Be Offered to People With Subacromial Impingement.

Arthroscopic treatment should no longer be offered to people with subacromial impingement. In many people, subacromial impingement (or subacromial pain syndrome) is self-limiting and may not require any specific treatment. This is evident by the fact that almost 50% of people with new-onset shoulder pain consult their primary care doctor only once. The best-available evidence from randomized controlled trials indicates that glucocorticoid injection provides rapid, modest, short-term pain relief. Exercise therapy has also been found to provide no added benefit over glucocorticoid injection. Subacromial decompression (bursectomy and acromioplasty) for subacromial pain syndrome provides no important benefit on pain, function, or health-related quality of life. Acromioplasty does not improve the outcomes of rotator cuff repair.

[Clinical application of acromion radiological classification in diagnosis and treatment of rotator cuff injury].

OBJECTIVE: To develop a new classification of acromion based on the subacromial impingement theory and the Rockwood tilt view. And explore the application value of the new classification in the diagnosis and treatment of rotator cuff tear. METHODS: The clinical data of 101 patients underwent shoulder arthroscopic surgery for impingement syndrome or rotator cuff tear from January to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 34 males and 67 females, aged from 34 to 76 years with an average of (56.31±9.63) years old, course of disease from 2 to 12 months with average of 6 months. Preoperative radiographs of the routine anteroposterior view, Rockwood tilt view and the supraspinatus outlet view were obtained. Based on the subacromial impingement theory and Rockwood radiographs, the morphology of the acromion can be divided into three types:typeⅠ(flat type), typeⅡ(bump type), and type Ⅲ (impingement type). Two observers classified 101 shoulder Rockwood radiographs according to the new classification method and the supraspinatus Outlet radiographs according to the traditional acromial morphological classification method. Supraspinatus tendon injuries were classified into no tear, partial-thickness tear, and full-thickness tear according to the arthroscopic findings. Concordance test (Kappa value) between the inter-observer and intra-observer was carried out for the new classification method and the traditional classification method respectively. The rank sum test was used to compare the mean acromiohumeral distance(AHD) of the three acromion forms in the new acromion classification method. Spearman rank correlation test and Gamma method were used to analyze the correlation between the new acromion classification method and the degree of supraspinatus tendon tear. RESULTS: The inter-observer consistency analysis of the new classification system was significantly better than that of the traditional classification (0.827 vs 0.278), the intra-observer consistency analysis of the new classification system were also significantly better than that of the traditional classification (0.921 vs 0.448, 0.890 vs 0.539). There was no statistical significance in the AHD among three types of the new classification(H=2.186, P>0.05). In all 101 patients, the highest proportion of impingement type acromion was 45.5% (46 cases), followed by bump type acromion was 36.6% (37 cases), and flat type acromion was 17.8% (18 cases). The incidence of supraspinatus tendon tear in the patients with impingement type acromion was significantly higher than that of the other two types of acromion, there was a spearman rank correlation between the new acromion type and the degree of the supraspinatus tendon tear(rs=0.719, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Rockwood radiographs of the shoulder can well display the anterolateral osteophytes of the acromion. The new acromion classification method based on Rockwood radiographs has high reliability and good reproducibility, in which impingement type of acromion is closely related to supraspinatus tendon tear. Compared with the traditional classification and AHD, the new classification method has more diagnostic value than for rotator cuff injury.

Posteroinferior relevant scapular neck offset in reverse shoulder arthroplasty: key player for motion and friction-type impingement in a computer model.

BACKGROUND: Range of motion (ROM) and prevention of notching remain a challenge for reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). Both may be affected by the morphology of the scapula. The purpose of this study was to define anteroinferior (a) and posteroinferior (p) relevant scapular neck offset (RSNO) and to examine the hypothesis that pRSNO is significantly smaller than aRSNO, and influences rigid body motion (RBM). Adapting glenosphere implantation strategies may therefore be of value. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this computer model study, we used deidentified computed tomographic scans of 22 patients (11 male and 11 female; mean age: 72.9 years) with massive cuff tears without joint space narrowing. Eight RSA glenoid configurations were tested with a constant neck-shaft angle (145°). Two baseplate types (25 mm; 25 + 3 mm lateralized) and 4 glenospheres (GS) (36 mm; 36 +2 mm of eccentricity; 39 mm; 39 + 3 mm) were used. RSNO was defined as the standardized measurement of the horizontal distance from the inferior extent of the GS to the bony margin of the scapula after baseplate positioning (flush to inferior glenoid extent; neutral position: 0° inclination and 0° version-both software computed). RESULTS: There was a highly significant difference between pRSNO and aRSNO for both genders (P < .001). pRSNO was always smaller than aRSNO. pRSNO was strongly correlated with external rotation (ERO: 0.84) and extension (EXT: 0.74) and moderately correlated with global ROM (GROM: 0.68). There was a moderately strong correlation between aRSNO and internal rotation (IRO: 0.69). pRSNO was strongly correlated with aRSNO, EXT, ERO, IRO, adduction (ADD) and GROM (0.82, 0.72, 0,8, 0.71, 0.82, 0.76) in female patients and with EXT and ERO (0.82, 0.89) in male patients. The median pRSNO allowing for at least 45° ERO and 40° EXT was 14.2 mm for men and 13.8 mm for women. For all patients and models, pRSNO ≥14 mm increased EXT, ERO, and GROM significantly compared with pRSNO <14 mm (P < .001). The combination of lateralization and inferior overhang (eccentricity) led to the most significant increase of pRSNO for each GS size (P < .001). CONCLUSION: This is one of the first RSA modeling studies evaluating nonarthritic glenoids of both genders. The lateral scapular extent to glenoid relationship is asymmetric. pRSNO is always smaller than aRSNO for both genders and was a critical variable for EXT and ERO, demonstrating additional strong correlation with aRSNO, IRO, ADD, and GROM in female patients. pRSNO ≥14 mm was a safe value to prevent friction-type impingement. Combining increased glenosphere size, lateralization, and inferior overhang gives the best results in this computer-simulated setting.

Associations between single and combined occupational mechanical exposures and surgery for subacromial impingement syndrome: a nationwide Danish cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate whether the risk of surgery for subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) increases with the number of combined occupational mechanical exposures compared with single exposure. METHODS: We reanalyzed data from a register-based cohort study of the entire Danish working population (N=2 374 403) with 14 118 events of surgery for SIS (2003-2008). Exposure information in 10-year windows was obtained by combining occupational codes with a job exposure matrix. For single and combined mechanical exposures, we created three exposure variables of the number of years with specific exposure intensities with or without co-existing mechanical exposures. We used logistic regression as survival analysis. RESULTS: We found exposure-response relations for duration and intensity of each single mechanical exposure except for repetition. The single effect of arm elevation >90º reached a maximum adjusted odds ratio (ORadj) of 1.7 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5-2.0], which increased to 1.8 (95% CI 1.5-2.0), 2.0 (95% CI 1.9-2.2), and 2.2 (95% CI 2.0-2.5) when combined with repetition, force, and both. When combining repetition with arm elevation >90º, force, and both, ORadj increased from 1.5 (95% CI 1.3-1.8) to 2.1 (95% CI 1.8-2.4), 2.5 (95% CI 2.4-2.9), and 2.7 (95% CI 2.4-3.0). For force, ORadj increased from 2.5 (95% CI 2.1-2.9) to 2.6 (95% CI 2.3-2.8), 2.8 (95% CI 2.4-3.2), and 3.0 (95% CI 2.6-3.4). CONCLUSION: We found an increased risk of surgery for SIS with the number of combined exposures; the risk was especially pronounced when the combined exposures included force.

Subacromial impingement as a predictor of proximal biceps tendon disorders.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the relationship between proximal biceps tendon disorders and the degree of subacromial impingement in patients who underwent arthroscopic subacromial debridement. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2015 and June 2021, a total of 110 patients (44 males, 66 females; mean age: 52.5±11.43 years; range, 15 to 78 years) who underwent arthroscopic subacromial decompression were retrospectively analyzed. The degree of the subacromial impingement observed during arthroscopy was classified into four stages according to the Neer classification. We classified proximal biceps tendon disorders as five grades according to the Nirschl classification. The proportional relationship between subacromial impingement and biceps tendinopathy severity was analyzed. RESULTS: While biceps tendon degeneration was found to be significantly lower in patients with mild or no subacromial impingement, high rates of severe biceps tendon degeneration were observed in patients with high degree of subacromial impingement. A total of 75% of the patients who had no subacromial impingement had no biceps tendon disorder. Approximately 50% of the patients with Stage 1 subacromial impingement did not have biceps disorder, 31.3% had inflammation, and 12.5% had minor degeneration. In Stage 2 subacromial impingement group, the ratio of inflammation (42.9%) and minor degeneration (42.9%) of biceps tendon greatly increased, and the highest rate of biceps tendon degeneration was observed in the most advanced stage (Stage 3) subacromial impingement group (39.3%) (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: The stage of subacromial impingement is correlated with the degree of biceps degeneration. Therefore, one should keep in mind that the presence of advanced subacromial impingement may indicate advanced biceps tendon pathologies.

Physical Therapy Combined With Subacromial Cortisone Injection Is a First-Line Treatment Whereas Acromioplasty With Physical Therapy Is Best if Nonoperative Interventions Fail for the Management of Subacromial Impingement: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: To construct an algorithm to optimize clinical outcomes in subacromial impingement based on current, high-level evidence. METHODS: A systematic review of all clinical trials on subacromial impingement published from 1999 to 2020 was performed. Demographic, clinical, range of motion (ROM), and patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) data were collected. Interventions were compared via arm-based Bayesian network meta-analysis in a random-effects model and treatments ranked via surface under the cumulative ranking curves with respect to 3 domains: pain, PROMs, and ROM. RESULTS: A total of 35 studies comprising 3,643 shoulders (42% female, age 50 ± 5 years) were included. Arthroscopic decompression with acromioplasty ranked much greater than arthroscopic decompression alone for pain relief and PROM improvement, but the difference in absolute PROMs was not statistically significant. Corticosteroid injection (CSI) alone demonstrated inferior outcomes across all 3 domains (pain, PROMs, and ROM) with low cumulative rankings. Physical therapy (PT) with CSI demonstrated moderate-to-excellent clinical improvement across all 3 domains whereas PT alone demonstrated excellent ROM and low-moderate outcomes in pain and PROM domains. PT with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or alternative therapies ranked highly for PROM outcomes and moderate for pain and ROM domains. Finally, platelet-rich plasma injections demonstrated moderate outcomes for pain, forward flexion, and abduction with very low-ranking outcomes for PROMs and external rotation. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic decompression with acromioplasty and PT demonstrated superior outcomes whereas CSI demonstrated poor outcomes in all 3 domains (pain, PROMs, and ROM). For patients with significant symptoms, the authors recommend PT with CSI as a first-line treatment, followed by acromioplasty and PT if conservative treatment fails. For patients with symptoms limited to 1 to 2 domains, the authors recommend a shared decision-making approach focusing on treatment rankings within domains pertinent to individual patient symptomatology. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I, systematic review and network meta-analysis of Level I studies.

Arthroscopic release of the pectoralis minor tendon as an adjunct to acromioplasty in the treatment of subacromial syndrome associated with scapular dyskinesia.

INTRODUCTION: One of the causes of scapular dyskinesia is the retraction of the pectoralis minor muscle. It can be the cause of shoulder pain associated with increased anterior tilt and internal rotation of the shoulder. HYPOTHESIS: Arthroscopic release of the pectoralis minor tendon is effective for shoulder pain, linked to a correction of dyskinesia, resulting in the early disappearance of scapulalgia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, monocentric, single-surgeon study on a continuous series of patients with symptomatic shoulder pain, related to subacromial impingement associated with scapular dyskinesia. The series underwent arthroscopic tenotomies of the pectoralis minor between January 2015 and September 2018. Fifty-eight releases were performed to 57 patients (22 males, 35 females), with a mean age of 51.4 years (29-66 years). In all cases, they presented pain on palpation of the upper bundle of the trapezius muscle, and on palpation of the coracoid insertion of the pectoralis minor. RESULTS: Preoperatively, there were 30 cases of stage 1 scapular dyskinesia and 28 cases of stage 2, with a scapular index measured at 53.84 (41.66-65.78), while the constant score was 41.46 (19-59). Upper trapezius pain was present in 87.7% of cases. The 57 patients were clinically assessed, with a mean follow-up of 8.9 months (6-24 months). Post-operatively, 15 cases (25.8%) of scapulalgia persisted at 2 months of follow-up, while upper trapezius pain was present in only 22.4%. Scapular dyskinesia was no longer present at 2 months in patients without scapulalgia. The scapular index was measured at 60.42 (52.38-70.96), and the constant score at last follow-up was 76.36 (42-92). CONCLUSION: Tenotomy of the pectoralis minor improves painful symptomatology and scapular dyskinesia, in cases of subacromial syndrome with retraction of the pectoralis minor muscle. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, retrospective study.

Subacromial Decompression in Patients With Shoulder Impingement With an Intact Rotator Cuff: An Expert Consensus Statement Using the Modified Delphi Technique Comparing North American to European Shoulder Surgeons.

PURPOSE: To perform a Delphi consensus for the treatment of patients with shoulder impingement with intact rotator cuff tendons, comparing North American with European shoulder surgeon preferences. METHODS: Nineteen surgeons from North America (North American panel [NAP]) and 18 surgeons from Europe (European panel [EP]) agreed to participate and answered 10 open-ended questions in rounds 1 and 2. The results of the first 2 rounds were used to develop a Likert-style questionnaire for round 3. If agreement at round 3 was ≤60% for an item, the results were carried forward into round 4. For round 4, the panel members outside consensus (>60%, <80%) were contacted and asked to review their response. The level of agreement and consensus was defined as 80%. RESULTS: There was agreement on the following items: impingement is a clinical diagnosis; a combination of clinical tests should be used; other pain generators must be excluded; radiographs must be part of the workup; magnetic resonance imaging is helpful; the first line of treatment should always be physiotherapy; a corticosteroid injection is helpful in reducing symptoms; indication for surgery is failure of nonoperative treatment for a minimum of 6 months. The NAP was likely to routinely prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NAP 89%; EP 35%) and consider steroids for impingement (NAP 89%; EP 65%). CONCLUSIONS: Consensus was achieved for 16 of the 71 Likert items: impingement is a clinical diagnosis and a combination of clinical tests should be used. The first line of treatment should always be physiotherapy, and a corticosteroid injection can be helpful in reducing symptoms. The indication for surgery is failure of no-operative treatment for a minimum of 6 months. The panel also agreed that subacromial decompression is a good choice for shoulder impingement if there is evidence of mechanical impingement with pain not responding to nonsurgical measures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, expert opinion.

How do people perceive different labels for rotator cuff disease? A content analysis of data collected in a randomised controlled experiment.

OBJECTIVES: Explore how people perceive different labels for rotator cuff disease in terms of words or feelings evoked by the label and treatments they feel are needed. SETTING: We performed a content analysis of qualitative data collected in a six-arm, online randomised controlled experiment. PARTICIPANTS: 1308 people with and without shoulder pain read a vignette describing a patient with rotator cuff disease and were randomised to one of six labels: subacromial impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tear, bursitis, rotator-cuff-related shoulder pain, shoulder sprain and episode of shoulder pain. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES: Participants answered two questions (free-text response) about: (1) words or feelings evoked by the label; (2) what treatments they feel are needed. Two researchers iteratively developed coding frameworks to analyse responses.Results1308/1626 (80%) complete responses for each question were analysed. Psychological distress (21%), uncertainty (22%), serious condition (15%) and poor prognosis (9%) were most often expressed by those labelled with subacromial impingement syndrome. For those labelled with a rotator cuff tear, psychological distress (13%), serious condition (9%) and poor prognosis (8%) were relatively common, while minor issue was expressed least often compared with the other labels (5%). Treatment/investigation and surgery were common among those labelled with a rotator cuff tear (11% and 19%, respectively) and subacromial impingement syndrome (9% and 10%) compared with bursitis (7% and 5%). CONCLUSIONS: Words or feelings evoked by certain labels for rotator cuff disease and perceived treatment needs may explain why some labels drive management preferences towards surgery and imaging more than others.

Tratamiento quirúrgico del síndrome subacromial mediante la técnica de Neer. Estudio casuístico / Surgical treatment of the subacromial syndrome using Neer's technique. Case study

RESUMEN Introducción: el síndrome subacromial es una afección caracterizada por el pinzamiento tendinoso intraarticular por osteofitos o estrechamiento del espacio. Objetivos: evaluar la técnica de Neer en el tratamiento de pacientes con síndrome subacromial y los factores y actividades que favorecen esta afección. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, prospectivo a pacientes con síndrome subacromial tratados con acromioplastia por la técnica de Neer. El universo lo conformaron 66 pacientes mayores de 20 años, que presentaron síndrome subacromial con síntomas por más de seis meses, y que fueron tratados con la técnica de Neer. Resultados: el sexo más afectado fue el femenino, con 65,2 %. Predominó el grupo etario de 41 a 50 años. El dolor en etapa prequirúrgica fue de moderado a severo en un 77,2 %, y nulo o leve después de la operación. La función en etapa prequirúrgica estuvo afectada de moderada a severa en un 68,1 %, y nula o leve después del tratamiento quirúrgico. La flexión anterior activa estuvo por debajo de 90º en un 83,1 % antes de ser operados, y por encima de 90º en un 80,3 % en el posquirúrgico. La fuerza muscular era mala o regular en etapa prequirúrgica en un 77,2 %, resultando ser excelente o buena después de la operación. Conclusiones: una vez aplicada la técnica de Neer, el dolor fue leve o nulo en la mayoría del universo, la función del hombro fue buena, la flexión anterior adecuada, y buena la fuerza muscular. Se recomienda emplear esta técnica quirúrgica en esta afección (AU).

ABSTRACT Introduction: subacromial syndrome is a condition characterized by intra-articular tendinous impingement by osteophytes or narrowing of space. Objective: to evaluate Neer's technique in the treatment of patients with subacromial syndrome and the factors and activities favoring this condition. Materials end methods: an observational, descriptive, prospective study was performed in patients with subacromial syndrome treated with acromioplasty using Neer's technique. The universe was formed by 66 patients aged over 20 years, who presented subacromial syndrome with symptoms for more than 6 months, and were treated with Neer's technique. Results: the most affected sex was the female one, with 65.2 %. The age group aged 41 to 50 years predominated. In pre-surgical stage, pain ranged from moderate to severe in 77.2 %, and from null to mild after surgery. Preoperative function was moderate to severe in 68.1 % and null or mild after surgical treatment. The previous active flexion was below 90° in 83.1 % before being operated, and above 90° in 80.3 % after surgery. Muscle strength was poor or regular in pre-surgical stage in 77.2 %, being excellent or good after surgery. Conclusions: once Neer's technique was applied, the pain was mild or null in most of the universe, the shoulder function was good, the anterior flexion adequate, and the muscle strength good (AU).