Patient-reported outcomes for arthroscopic resection of the distal clavicle with concomitant arthroscopic subacromial decompression at a 2-year follow-up: a prospective study of 131 consecutive patients.

Background: Arthroscopic distal clavicle resection (DCR) can be offered to patients with persistent acromioclavicular (AC) joint pain who do not benefit from conservative treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of combined arthroscopic DCR and concomitant arthroscopic subacromial decompression in a large consecutive and prospective cohort using patient-reported outcomes.

Methods: Consecutive patients were identified from our online database and included based on their primary treatment code. All patients had a diagnosis of shoulder impingement syndrome and persistent AC joint pain resistant to at least six months of conservative treatment. The outcomes from the combined intervention were evaluated by patients through the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) questionnaire and EuroQol 5-Dimension 3-Level questionnaire, including a EuroQol visual analog scale score collected preoperatively and at a 2-year follow-up. Patient-reported satisfaction with the procedure was reported at the follow-up. Subgroups were formed to further evaluate outcome based on preoperative OSS (low, moderate, high) and age.

Results: 131 patients (75%) were available for analysis at the 2-year follow-up. Sixty seven patients (51%) were female and the mean age was 51 years (range 19-82). A mean OSS change of 12.1 (95% confidence interval, 10.3-14.0;  < .001) was observed within the entire study group. In both the low and moderate preoperative-OSS (pre-OSS) groups, a mean change of 14 was found with no difference between groups ( = .971). A mean change of 7 was found in the high pre-OSS group, which differed from both the moderate ( < .001) and low ( = .036) pre-OSS groups. A significant change in EuroQol 5-Dimension and EuroQol visual analog scale was observed within all the pre-OSS groups, and 107 patients (82%) replied that they were satisfied or very satisfied with their outcome of surgery at the follow-up.

Conclusions: Patients who suffer from persistent AC joint pain largely benefit from arthroscopic DCR with arthroscopic subacromial decompression through relief of symptoms and improved quality of life, including those with a high self-reported and preoperative level of shoulder function.