Acromion Repair

The acromion is the part of the scapula or shoulder blade that forms the tip of the shoulder. It is most frequently injured in a fall onto an outstretched hand that puts upward pressure on this bony prominence from below, or a in sports injury that puts downward pressure on it from above, such as a football tackle or falling off a horse.

Acromion Problems

• Many scapular fractures can be treated without surgery by immobilization, but in some cases surgical repair is the only remedy. Repetitive motion injury from swimming or tennis or from some occupations can cause bone spurs to develop on the underside of the acromion. Arthritis and over-healing of bone after a fracture can also cause them, and these spurs interfere with tendons in the subacromial space.

Surgical Conditions

• A displaced fracture of the acromion may have to be repaired with screws. In a shoulder separation (acromioclavicular joint injury), surgery can shorten the clavicle (collar bone) to prevent it from rubbing against the acromion. A congenital condition called os acromiale (improperly fused acromion) can cause shoulder pain that only surgery can relieve.

Surgical Procedures

• Arthroscopy means looking inside a joint through keyhole incisions to identify a problem. Acromioplasty (shaping) can be done by inserting instruments through these portals and shaving bone spurs to make more room for the tendons to move. This procedure is called a subacromial decompression.