Subacromial Decompression

Written By: Chloe Wilson BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy
Reviewed By: SPE Medical Review Board

A subacromial decompression, aka acromioplasty, is an operation performed to treat shoulder impingement and swimmers shoulder.

Impingement occurs when soft tissues in the shoulder repeatedly rub against bone causing pain and inflammation, particularly when you raise your arm.

The aim of shoulder impingement surgery is to regain full, pain-free range of movement at the shoulder. Surgery involves removing any inflamed or tight structures and shaving small amounts of bone off to leave a smooth, wide space.

Here we will take a brief look at the causes and symptoms of Shoulder Impingement Syndrome, then we will look at the indications for surgery, what happens during a subacromial decompression and the recovery process, including advice on when you can return to activities.

What Is Shoulder Impingement?

The most common things that reduce the subacromial space are:

• Shoulder Bursitis: inflammation of the subacromial bursa
• Bone Spurs: extra growths of bone on the acromion
• Bony Abnormality: changes in the normal shape or angle of the acromion
• Tendonitis: inflammation of the rotator cuff or biceps tendons where they pass through the subacromial space

Shoulder impingement syndrome treatment usually consists of physical therapy, rest (avoiding aggravating activities), corticosteroid injections and/or anti-inflammatory medication. In many cases, this will reduce or even abolish the symptoms. You can find out more about other treatment options in the shoulder impingement section. 

In some cases, arthroscopic subacromial decompression surgery for shoulder impingement may not be appropriate in which case open surgery will be done. This requires a larger incision so the surgeon can see and access the joint directly.

What may start as arthroscopic subacromial decompression surgery may switch to open surgery depending on what the surgeon finds once he can see inside the joint clearly – you will usually be consented for both prior to surgery. Evidence has shown little difference to the long term recovery with either method.

Subacromial Decompression Recovery

Subacromial decompression surgery is usually carried out as a day case, so you shouldn’t need to stay in hospital overnight. In most cases it is done under a general anaesthetic, meaning you are put to sleep. You may also be given a regional nerve block to help limit pain after surgery.

In some cases, rather than having a general anaesthetic, a combination of the nerve block and light sedation will be used, meaning you are awake during the operation – you won’t feel any pain during the surgery but you may feel a pulling/tugging sensation.

Subacromial decompression surgery for shoulder impingement typically takes less than an hour and in most cases, you will be allowed home the same day – you will need someone to drive you home.

Common Questions

Here are some of the most common questions people ask about the recovery process following a subacromial decompression:

1. Does A Subacromial Decompression Hurt?

If you have had a nerve block with your acromioplasty, you shoulder will be completely numb for around 12-48 hours following surgery which should help you through the worst of the pain. The effects are temporary so don’t worry if you have difficulty moving your arm.

Your sensation may be altered due to the numbness so avoid using any heat or ice until the sensation has returned to normal. In some cases, the numbness may spread to your face and neck or you may have pins and needles in your hands. Don’t worry, these are all normal side effects of the nerve block, but if they continue for more than 48 hours, seek advice from the hospital. 

Once the nerve block has worn off and you have regained normal sensation, you can use ice packs to help relieve swelling and discomfort, particularly before and after doing your exercises. Wrap a cold pack or bag or frozen peas in a towel and rest over your shoulder for 10 minutes (no longer). 

It may take a few weeks/months for the pain to settle completely following a subacromial decompression.

2. How Long Do I Use The Sling?

If you have had a nerve block with your subacromial decompression you will be given a sling to wear for comfort and to support the arm while it is numb. You don’t have to use it all the time and can take your arm in and out when you want.

Most people completely discard it after a few days. It can be helpful to wear it when you are up and about the first few days so that you don’t knock your arm.

3. What Exercises Should I Do?

4. What’s The Most Comfortable Position To Sleep In?

This will vary from person to person but here are some ideas that may help following your subacromial decompression.

• Side Sleepers: If you like to lie on your side, avoid lying on your operated side initially. Instead, lie on the other side and prop your operated arm on one or two pillows directly in front of your chest. Alternatively you may want to sleep wearing your sling initially to support your arm.
  
  
• Back Sleepers: If you prefer to sleep on your back, you may find it more comfortable to place a rolled up towel or small pillow underneath your shoulder/upper arm.

5. How Do I Look After The Wounds?

In most cases, you won’t have any stitches with an acromioplasty, just small sticker plasters over the incisions. You want to keep the wounds dry for approximately 5-7 days until they have healed, so stick to strip washes initially.

6. Is There Anything I Should Avoid?

Remember, you don’t need be afraid to move your arm after a subacromial decompression – you can’t damage the surgery. The best guide is pain – if it hurts, don’t do it. It tends to be activities where the arm is at or above shoulder height, or lying on the operated side that cause pain, so try and avoid those initially until things settle down.

You should avoid heavy lifting for around 7-21 days following an acromioplasty. 

7. How Quickly Will I Recover?

Everyone progresses at different rates following a subacromial decompression. Most people make an excellent recovery but it can take a few months.

You should be able to move your arm comfortably below shoulder height within around three weeks and above your head by around six weeks by which stage you should have regained basically full movement in the shoulder.

In most cases, subacromial decompression recovery takes around six months, but improvements may continue for up to one year.

8. How Successful Is Shoulder Impingement Surgery?

Subacromial decompression surgery for shoulder impingement has an 80% success rate. Remember, it may take up to one year to fully recover and it is important to continue with your exercises until you have regained full strength and movement to get the best outcome.

9. When Can I Return To My Usual Activities?

Driving: You can start driving as soon as you feel able to comfortably steer and control the car. In most cases this is around one week. It is a good idea to start with short journeys and you may want to check if there are any restrictions with your motor insurance company.

Work: It will depend on the demands of your job. If you have a sedentary job e.g. office work, you can usually return 1 week after subacromial decompression.

If however your job requires heavy lifting or working with your arm above your head, you may need to wait around 6 weeks or in some cases longer and you may need to modify your activities the first few weeks. Your doctor or physical therapist will be able to offer advice on when to return.

Leisure: Be guided by your shoulder, thinking about your pain levels and the strength and movement in your arm. Always start slowly and gradually build up how much you do.

Remember, you may not notice the discomfort until the next day so don’t push yourself too much too fast. For overhead activities such as racket sports, front crawl and certain DIY work you should wait 3 months following acromioplasty. You can return to golf after 6 weeks.

10. Are There Any Risks Of Surgery?

Any surgery comes with risks, such as bleeding, blood clot, infection or an unusual reaction to the anaesthetic, but they are rare. Specific risks with subacromial decompression include:

• Persistent Shoulder Pain: that continues once you have recovered from surgery. Occurs in 5-20% of cases
• Frozen Shoulder: inflammation of the joint capsule which can severely restrict shoulder movement. Frozen shoulder occurs in 5-20% of cases
• Nerve & Blood Vessels Damage: Occurs in less than 1%

In a few cases, less than 5%, subacromial decompression surgery for shoulder impingement may need to be repeated within 10 years.

If you notice any discharge from your wound, you develop a temperature or feel unwell, see your doctor as soon as possible.

What Else Can Help?

If you would like to find out more about impingement and how it occurs, visit the shoulder impingement syndrome section. And you can find out all about how to avoid surgery with shoulder impingement exercises.

Impingement syndrome is only one possible cause of shoulder problems. If it doesn't sound quite like your problem, check out these helpful articles:

• Common Shoulder Problems
• Upper Arm Pain
• Front Shoulder Pain
• Shoulder Pain Diagnosis

And remember, one of the best ways to make a good recovery from a subacromial decompression is to do your exercises regularly - visit the shoulder mobility exercises section for a range of exercises to get your shoulder moving properly again, and once you are ready, you can progress on to rotator cuff exercises.

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Page Last Updated: November 5th, 2024
Next Review Due: November 5th, 2026

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