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Arthroscopic subacromial decompression versus placebo surgery for subacromial pain syndrome: 10-year follow-up of the FIMPACT randomised, placebo surgery controlled trial

Review written by Todd Hargrove info

Key Points

  1. Arthroscopic subacromial decompression provided no benefit over placebo surgery or exercise therapy at 10 years for patients with subacromial pain syndrome.
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BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Arthroscopic subacromial decompression (ASD) is a common elective orthopedic procedure for subacromial shoulder pain. However, previous studies have shown that it has no short-term or medium-term advantage over placebo surgery or non-surgical management.

This study was the 10-year follow-up of the Finnish Subacromial Impingement Arthroscopy Trial (FIMPACT), which compared ASD to placebo surgery and exercise therapy in patients with subacromial pain syndrome.

Arthroscopic subacromial decompression is a common elective orthopedic procedure for subacromial shoulder pain.
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The natural history of subacromial pain is generally favorable regardless of treatment approach and exercise therapy is a reasonable first-line treatment that avoids surgical risks.

METHODS

  • 210 adults aged 35-65 years with symptoms of subacromial pain syndrome were randomly assigned to three groups: arthroscopic subacromial decompression, placebo surgery consisting of diagnostic arthroscopy only, and exercise therapy.
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