Abstract

Sixty-nine arthroscopic acromioplasties were evaluated with an average follow-up of 18 months (6 to 38 months), with the UCLA score. The UCLA scores evolved from an average of 9.9 preoperatively (minimum 5, maximum 18) to 30.2 (minimum 18, maximum 35) postoperatively. There were 26% excellent results (34 to 35 points on the UCLA score), 55% good results (28 to 33 points), 14.5% poor results (21 to 27 points) and 4.3% bad results (0 to 20 points), i.e. 81% good and excellent results. There was no relationship between the duration of the complaints and the results, nor was there between the age and the results. The best results were seen in patients without rupture of the rotator cuff. Calcification without rupture of the cuff had no influence on the results. Pain, the most important complaint, was diminished much more than the complaints about restricted range of motion, which is better tolerated.