Long-term results of arthroscopic resection of the distal clavicle with concomitant subacromial decompression

Purpose: The goal of the study was to evaluate the long-term outcome of combined arthroscopic distal clavicle excision and subacromial decompression. Type of Study: Retrospective, long-term cohort evaluation. Methods: Twenty patients with an average follow-up of 6 years (range, 3.9 to 9 years) were reviewed. All patients had ipsilateral impingement syndrome and acromioclavicular joint disease at the time of surgery and underwent arthroscopic subacromial decompression combined with arthroscopic distal clavicle excision. All patients returned for evaluation in person, in addition to filling out a questionnaire incorporating the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and Constant scoring systems. Preoperative and postoperative radiographs were available for all patients. Results: Postoperatively, all patients had pain relief and were satisfied with the result. The average postoperative UCLA Shoulder score was 29.8 ± 0.6, compared with 17.5 ± 3.0 before surgery (P = .001). The Constant Shoulder score averaged 98.5 ± 2.1 postoperatively, compared with 70.5 ± 11.2 preoperatively (P = .001). There was 100% good to excellent results using both scoring systems. Individual components of the UCLA scoring system (pain, function, and power) all showed significant postoperative improvement (P = .001). Constant categories of pain, activities of daily living, range of motion, and power also improved. Follow-up radiographs showed maintenance of the resected distal clavicle in 19 patients. Five patients (25%) had radiographic evidence of calcific density distal to the resected clavicle but were asymptomatic. Conclusions: The long-term results of arthroscopic resection of the distal clavicle with concomitant subacromial decompression are uniformly good or excellent. Impingement and acromioclavicular joint disease frequently coexist and should be identified and treated concurrently.