Subacromial Decompression in Patients with Impingement Syndrome Results in Better Clinical Outcome Compared to Physiotherapy in the Long Term. A Prospective Randomised Study

Objectives:The long-term outcome after treatment of subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS) with either non-surgical or surgical methods is not thoroughly investigated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term clinical outcome, the presence of rotator-cuff injuries and osteoarthritis after both surgical and non-surgical treatment.Methods:Eighty-seven patients with SAIS were randomised to three groups: open acromioplasty (OSG), arthroscopic acromioplasty (ASG) or physiotherapy (PTG). The Constant score and the Watson u0026 Sonnabend score were used as outcome measures. Furthermore, bilateral ultrasound examinations to detect rotator-cuff ruptures and bilateral x-rays to detect osteoarthritis were performed. Sixty-six patients (76%) attended the clinical follow-up, 14 (SD 1.5) years after the initial treatment.Results:The groups were demographically comparable at baseline. The Constant score had improved significantly at follow-up in both the OSG and the ASG (p=0.003 and 0.011 respectively). No i...