ABSTRACT
Subacromial decompression as described by Neer (1) has proven to be a safe and effective treatment for subacromial impingement syndrome (2). He recommended removal of the anterior edge and undersurface of the anterior one-third of the acromion, release of the coracoacromial ligament, excision of hypertrophic bursa, and removal of overhanging osteophytes from the acromioclavicular joint. Multiple series in the literature have demonstrated successful management of impingement syndrome utilizing Neer’s open acromioplasty (2,3). In 1987 Ellman (4) was the first to describe an arthroscopic technique of acromioplasty. Gartsman (5) demonstrated in an anatomical study that arthroscopic techniques were equivalent to open surgery in achieving adequate bony decompression as described by Neer. Later clinical studies have demonstrated the reliability of arthroscopic acromioplasty for the treatment of impingement syndrome (6,7). Recent comparison studies of open versus arthroscopic acromioplasty have shown these two procedures to be equivalent in success (8,9).
