Arthroscopic subacromial decompression using bursal approach

Impingement of the rotator cuff beneath the coraco-acromial arch has been recognised as one of the common causes of chronic shoulder pain. Open anterior acromioplasty as described by Neer [1972] has proven highly effective and was widely accepted for treatment of stage II impingement lesions. Subacromial arthroscopic decompression becomes a popular procedure for those cases. Recently the direct attack technique using a bursal approach without entering the shoulder joint has been used successfully. In this paper, a preliminary report about the technique, results, advantages and limitations is presented