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Subacromial decompression is an operation used to treat shoulder pain that has not responded to appropriate non-surgical treatments.
The procedure is performed using an arthroscope (keyhole surgery) to remove the inflamed subacromial bursa tissue and any prominent bone spurs that are irritating the rotator cuff tendons. There are other problems that may be present such as a rotator cuff tear, AC joint arthritis or damage to the long head of the biceps tendon. Depending on the severity of these problems, other procedures such as rotator cuff repair, distal clavicle excision or biceps tenodesis surgery may be performed at the same time.
After a subacromial decompression, you will generally go home the day after your surgery. You will be in a sling and will be referred to a physiotherapist. You will be encouraged to get your shoulder moving as quickly as possible after surgery. However, if other procedures such as a rotator cuff repair have also been performed then there will be restrictions on how much movement is allowed. These are to prevent you from damaging the shoulder while the repaired structures heal.
For more information on subacromial decompression, we recommend contacting our surgeons for an initial consultation.
