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Contents
  • When is Surgery Recommended?
  • Types of Surgical Procedures
  • The Effectiveness Debate

Should You Consider Surgery for Shoulder Impingement?

Should You Consider Surgery for Shoulder Impingement?

What's This About?

While surgery used to be a common solution for shoulder impingement, recent studies question its effectiveness. Discover when surgery might be necessary and what alternatives exist.
Contents
  • When is Surgery Recommended?
  • Types of Surgical Procedures
  • The Effectiveness Debate

When is Surgery Recommended?

Surgery is generally considered if conservative treatments fail after several months. Candidates typically include patients with persistent pain or suspected rotator cuff tears. Referrals to orthopedic specialists are made for tailored surgical considerations.

Types of Surgical Procedures

Common procedures include debridement of the rotator cuff or labrum and acromioplasty. These surgeries aim to relieve compression and improve shoulder function. Decisions regarding surgery take into account patient age, activity level, and comorbidities.
Surgery for shoulder impingement involves procedures like debridement and acromioplasty to relieve compression in the shoulder joint.

The Effectiveness Debate

Recent studies suggest surgery might not significantly outperform physical therapy for SIS. Many patients find relief through non-surgical treatments, questioning the necessity of surgery. This has led to more emphasis on physical therapy as a primary treatment.

FAQs

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is considered after months of failed conservative treatments.

What types of surgery exist?

Procedures like debridement and acromioplasty are common.

Is surgery always effective?

Studies suggest physical therapy can be as effective as surgery.

Key Takeaways

Surgery remains an option for SIS but should be considered carefully alongside alternatives.
Consult with Doctronic to weigh the pros and cons of surgery for your shoulder condition.
Additional References
  1. Khan M, Alolabi B, Horner N, et al. Surgery for shoulder impingement: a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials. CMAJ Open 2019; 7:E149.
  2. Karjalainen TV, Jain NB, Page CM, et al. Subacromial decompression surgery for rotator cuff disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2019; 1:CD005619.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic.