Arthroscopic Sub Acromial Decompression (ASAD)

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Aim:                          

To decompress the impingement between rotator cuff tendon and acromion   

   

Surgery type:           

Arthroscopic (keyhole)

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Anaesthetic:            

General (asleep) usually with a nerve block

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Objective:                

To remove a downward protruding bone spur from the acromion                                                             

Radio frequency wand to remove and clear inflamed soft tissue

Bone burr (approx. 4mm) to remove bone spur

                               

Duration:                  

30-45 mins         

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Scars:                        

2 (1 on the back of the shoulder, 1 on the side- approx. 10mm each)

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Sling:                        

7-14 days as comfort dictates

  

Sports:                      

Swimming after 3 weeks (front crawl after 6-8 weeks)

Golf from 6 weeks

Avoid heavy ADLs or sport >90 degs flexion and abduction for up to 3 months

 

Work:                       

Sedentary work- 4 weeks

Physical job- 8 weeks

Repetitive over shoulder height work- up to 12 weeks

 

Driving:                   

As pain allows- normally 7-10 days