Subacromial Decompression (Arthroscopic)
Subacromial Decompression–Arthroscopic
Subacromial Decompression is an arthroscopic procedure designed to release the tight ligament of the coracoacromial arch and to shave away some of the undersurface of the acromion. This raises the roof of the shoulder, allowing more room for the rotator cuff tendons to move underneath. The tendon is then able to move more freely, breaking the cycle of rubbing and swelling of the tendon.
Subacromial Decompression (Arthroscopic) surgery is a keyhole surgery; it is commonly performed for impingement syndrome, which has failed to respond to conservative measures such as steroid injection and physiotherapy. The surgery is usually carried out as a same-day procedure. The success rate for this procedure is around 80% but it may take a number of months, even up to a year, to see the full benefit
FAQS
Frequently asked questions about surgical procedures
Can I use my insurance and get these prices?
Payment is due 14 calendar days prior to your surgery date. If, after the cutoff, your account is not settled, your case must be postponed.
How quickly can I have surgery?
How will I meet my surgeon?
If I had a car or work accident, would you work with my employer or attorney for payment?
What if I get sick right before my surgery?
You could develop a respiratory infection, a urinary tract infection, COVID, or some other condition that may necessitate postponement. There is no penalty when this happens.
What’s Included:
- Facility fee
- Graft and hardware costs (if needed)
- Surgeon and assistant surgeon fees
- Anesthesiologist
- Time in the recovery unit (at no additional charge)
- Initial consultation visit
- One post-operative visit
*Please note: If you choose not to proceed with surgery after the initial consultation, or if you delay your procedure for more than 6 weeks, you will need to update your consultation at a cost of $375.
What’s not included:
- Lab testing before and after the surgery, as needed
- Electrocardiogram (EKG), depending on age. If you had one elsewhere in the past 6 months and it read “normal”, we can forego this expense.
- Imaging costs. X-rays and MRIs can be obtained anywhere.
- Physical therapy services
- Medications you’ll need (oral or IV antibiotic infusions if an infection arises)
- Wound care
- Bracing supplies
- Additional doctor visits (a pre-operative visit with the surgeon, in person, and any required post-op follow-ups after the suture removal to monitor your progress
- Additional surgical intervention if a complication arises
- Additional imaging or hospital care if a blood clot develops
Preparation for Subacromial Decompression (Arthroscopic)
The Subacromial Decompression procedure will be carried out by an orthopedic surgeon. He or she will explain how to prepare for your procedure. For example:
- Your surgeon will discuss with you what will happen before, during, and after your procedure.
- Complete any pre-operative tests or lab work prescribed by your doctor.
- Arrange to have someone drive you home from the hospital.
- Refrain from taking aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications one week prior to surgery.
- Refrain from eating or drinking anything after midnight the night before surgery.
Subacromial Decompression (Arthroscopic) Surgery
Subacromial Decompression Arthroscopic Surgery is performed using instruments inserted through small incisions. Depending on the location of the inflammation and the extent of work that needs to be done, usually two to four small (1 centimeter) incisions are made. A small tube called a cannula is inserted into each incision to allow easy passage of instruments in and out of the shoulder without damaging the surrounding tissues. One of the instruments inserted into the shoulder is a video camera about the size of a pencil. Another instrument called a shaver is inserted through another cannula. The shaver is used to remove the inflamed bursa. Once the bursa is removed, the rotator cuff is inspected to look for any signs of a tear. The bone above the rotator cuff (the point of the shoulder) is called the acromion. Many people with bursitis of the shoulder have a bone spur that forms on the undersurface of the acromion.
Subacromial Decompression (Arthroscopic Risks)
There are risks and complications with the Subacromial Decompression (Arthroscopic) procedure, and although they do not occur frequently, it is important to know what they are:
- There are very small risks with anaesthesia, and the anaesthetist will discuss these with you on the day.
- There is a small risk of infection, probably less than 1%.
- There is a small risk of worse pain and stiffness around the shoulder in the form of a frozen shoulder, which can occasionally occur after shoulder surgery in about 1% of cases.
- There are very small risks of damage to the nerves and blood vessels around the shoulder, less than 1%. There is the occasional need to redo the surgery, but this is rare, less than 5%.
Can I Travel to St George for Surgery?
Yes, and we’ll help you make all your arrangements.
- We have arrangements to try to obtain free flights through a non-profit volunteer pilot organization. We can do this with 10 days’ advance notice in most cases.
- We have discount codes for the Holiday Inn in town. This hotel is 1.5 miles from the surgery center and 2 miles from our clinic.
- We’ll arrange to send your after-surgery medications to your hometown pharmacy for pickup before you leave.
What if I would rather drive to St George?
No problem, we can help with those plans as well. When you have surgery with us, we’ll need to make sure you’re safe and comfortable after surgery. We’ll arrange cold compression therapy that requires an AC/DC adaptor/transformer and frequent stops to stretch and refill the ice reservoir on the road.
We’ll ask about the vehicle you’ll travel in to ensure you have a way to elevate and stretch out in the vehicle on the road while someone else does the driving.
How are follow-up and initial consultations handled?
In-person and telehealth consultations are possible with the surgeon to whom your case is assigned. The initial visit is included in the surgical package and is valued at $375.
We can also obtain the flights from the volunteer pilot nonprofit if you’d like to come for initial and follow-up visits in person. One follow-up visit is included in the surgical package at a value of $175. Any additional visits are charged at the time of service to your credit or debit card.
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