Serial one-year follow-up of shoulder impingement syndrome after arthroscopic subacromial decompression / 대한정형외과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To analyze the improvement in the patient self-evaluation for shoulder function and range of motion after arthroscopic subacromial decompression for shoulder impingement syndrome. Materials and Method: We performed a study of 21 patients out of 45 patients who could be assessed preoperatively and at 6 weeks and 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, using the standardized method of Research Committee of American Shoulder & Elbow Surgeons. We used two-sample unequal variance student t-test and Mann-Whitney U test to compare the initial findings. RESULTS: Nineteen patients were satisfied subjectively at 12 months after operation. Pain improvement was significant at 6 weeks. The total score of patient self-evaluation, put on a coat and manage using the toilet improved at 3 months, while sleep on painful side, wash back, comb hair, reach a high shelf and lift 5 kg above the shoulder improved at 6 months. Throwing a ball overhead improved at 9 months. The gain in range of motion was not noticeable except for internal rotation, which improved from T11 to T8. CONCLUSION: We found an arthroscopic subacromial decompression to be an effective method for treating impingement syndrome of the shoulder. Functional recovery could improve during a prolonged period despite of early relief of pain.