Abstract
Aims
To determine whether a correlation exists between the clinical symptoms and signs of impingement, and the severity of the lesions seen at bursoscopy.
Methods
Fifty-five consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic subacromial decompression were analysed. Pre-operatively patients completed an assessment form consisting of visual analogue pain score, and shoulder satisfaction. The degree of clinical impingement was also recorded. At arthroscopy impingement was classified according to the Copeland-Levy classification. Clinical assessment and scoring was performed at 6 months post-operatively. Linear regression coefficients were calculated to determine if the degree of impingement at arthroscopy correlated with pre-operative pain, satisfaction and clinical signs of impingement.
Results
Pre-op pain levels, shoulder satisfaction and the degree of clinical impingement did not correlate with severity of the lesions of the acromion and cuff. (Average Correlation co-efficient r2 = 0.018). There was no correlation between the improvement in the shoulders post-operatively and the severity of lesions (r2 = 0.008).
Conclusion
There is no significant correlation between pain, clinical signs, or satisfaction and the severity of lesions seen at arthroscopy.
