Treatment of acromion impingement syndrome combined with rotator cuff injury

Objective To explore surgical treatment of acromion impingement syndrome combined with rotator cuff injury. Methods From June 2003 to June 2005, 25 cases of acromion impingement syndrome were treated in our department. 18 cases of them were diagnosed as being complicated with rotator cuff injury preoperatively or intraoperatively. 12 of them were diagnosed as partial or complete superspinatus tendon rupture and received operation of suture or insertion site reconstruction with anchor screws. Postoperative rehabilitation programs were recommended and all the patients were followed up regularly at our outpatient clinic. ASES (American Shoulder Elbow Surgeon) scoring system was used to assess the outcomes of the patients. Results The mean follow-up time was 11 months. The mean ASES score was 32.5 preoperatively. Postoperatively, the mean score for the group of only acromion plasty was 92.5, the mean score for the group of suture of superspinatus tendon group was 87.1, and the mean score for the group of tendon insertion site reconstruction with anchor screw was 85.9. Significant difference of ASES score was found between the preoperative and postoperative periods (P 0.01). There was no significant difference among the 3 treatment groups in terms of ASES score (P 0.05). Conclusions The rotator cuff should be explored to find whether there is an injury in the treatment of acromion impingement syndrome. Good outcomes will be achieved if proper treatment of rotator cuff is selected.