A number of different components help to ensure your shoulder functions properly, and one of these areas is known as the acromion. The acromion is a portion of your scapula that forms an arch above the joint with the acromiocoracoid ligament. Tendons in the areas that connect muscles to bone are attached to the head of the humerus and slide between the head and the acromion when lifting your arm and rotating your shoulder.
Your acromion can vary in thickness and shape, and if you have a more narrow space for the tendons to pass, your tendons can become irritated when lifting your arm as they rub against the acromion. This repetitive motion can lead to prolonged tendon inflammation, the formation of bone spurs on the acromion and even the eventual rupture of a tendon. If you’re dealing with pain, discomfort or limited range of motion in your upper shoulder, especially when lifting your arm above your head, talk to a specialist to see if your acromion could be the root cause of your discomfort. Below, we take a closer look at the procedure that can help correct these issues, which is an acromioplasty.
Subacromial Impingement Treatment
Tendon compression or irritation as a result of contact with the acromion is typically classified as subacromial impingement, and it can lead to a number of uncomfortable symptoms in the shoulder area, including:
- Pain
- Decreased shoulder mobility
- Tenderness
- Stiffness
- Reduced strength
If you’re experiencing these symptoms and believe you may be dealing with subacromial impingement, you’re going to want to connect with a shoulder specialist, because it’s unlikely that the impingement will resolve on its own without targeted treatment. In fact, because tendon inflammation typically continues if treatment isn’t pursued, symptoms tend or get worse, and it can even culminate with tendon rupture.
If you believe you’re dealing with subacromial compression or another issue in your shoulder, reach out to your primary care physician or a shoulder specialist like Dr. Holloway. Your condition can be swiftly diagnosed with the help of a physical exam and imaging tests, and from there your specialist can walk you through some treatment options.
Although surgery usually produces fantastic results, it’s not the first line of treatment. Physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, activity restrictions, range of motion exercises and ice/heat therapy can all help to calm inflammation and restore the tendons back to their normal health. However, if these methods fail to provide relief or the presence of bone spurs mean that inflammation will persist, you may benefit from an acromioplasty.
An acromioplasty is a type of decompression procedure that makes more room for the soft tissues in the shoulder by removing a small portion of the acromion bone. During the procedure, your shoulder surgeon will make 2-3 small cuts in the shoulder area in order to access the acromion. With the help of an endoscope that relays a live feed of the surgery site to a monitor in the operating room, the surgeon then uses minimally invasive techniques to debride the bone spurs or shave off a portion of the acromion to create more space for the tendons and muscles in the area. In doing so, pressure is relieved and tissue inflammation soon subsides, providing a more comfortable site for movement.
After the procedure, you’ll pursue many of the conservative methods listed above to promote healing and strengthen your shoulder after the trauma of surgery. Your arm will be kept in a sling for several weeks until enough recovery has taken place. Most patients see significant recovery at the 2-4 month mark, but it can take up to a year to make a complete recovery from an acromioplasty procedure.
For more information about an acromioplasty operation, or for help with another shoulder issue, reach out to Dr. Holloway’s office today at (865) 410-7887.
