The Effect of Acromioplasty Performed During Rotator Cuff Repairs on Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Type 3 Acromion: A Retrospective Study

Objective: Rotator cuff (RC) tears often necessitate surgery, with acromioplasty being frequently performed alongside RC repair. However, the impact of acromioplasty on clinical outcomes remains a subject of discussion. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of acromioplasty during RC repair on clinical outcomes in patients with type 3 acromion. Materials and methods: Eighty-five patients, who underwent RC repair between January 2016 and December 2020, were categorized into two groups: Group 1, comprising 40 patients without acromioplasty, and Group 2, including 45 patients who received acromioplasty. Subacromial distance (SAD) and clinical scores were assessed pre-and post-operatively. Results: Group 1, comprising 40 patients without acromioplasty, had an average age of 59.45 +/- 10.43 years. Among them, 27 (67.5%) were female. The mean symptom duration was 10.4 +/- 4.3 months, and the mean follow-up period was 16.2 +/- 1.9 months. Group 2, which underwent acromioplasty, included 45 patients with an average age of 56.49 +/- 8.97 years, with 30 (66.7%) of them being female. The mean symptom duration was 9.5 +/- 3.6 months, and the mean follow-up time was 15.78 +/- 2.17 months in this group. Group 2 showed a relatively greater improvement in SAD compared to Group 1. The evaluation of clinical outcomes did not reveal any significant differences between the groups. Conclusion: Concomitant acromioplasty does not have a significant effect on clinical outcomes in patients undergoing arthroscopic RC repair.