Modified and classic acromioplasty for impingement of the shoulder.

We compared the results of modified and classic anterior acromioplasty in order to identify the significance of the resected acromion. Fifty patients with shoulder impingement syndrome resistant to conservative therapy underwent surgical treatment. We treated 30 patients with classic Neer acromioplasty (group 1), and 20 patients with modified Neer acromioplasty (group 2). The patients were assessed according to pain and shoulder movement. Excellent or good results were achieved in 28/30 patients in group I and 19/20 patients in group 2. The results indicate that both surgical techniques are effective procedures in the treatment of shoulder impingement syndrome, and the type of bone resection does not influence the clinical outcome.