Impingement can occur when the shoulder acromion bone forms into an abnormal hooked shape or grows abnormal spurs from its under surface. When a patient has a Subacromial Decompression, this bone pressing on the shoulder rotator cuff tendons is removed. This then frees the tendons from irritation and allows them to recover. The operation is performed as a key-hole technique usually with 2 to 3 ½cms incisions. Before key-hole surgery was developed the decompression was done through an open 6-10cms incision. The deltoid muscle needed repair at the end of this technique. Most shoulder surgeons now think decompression should be done key-hole as it is much less damaging to the deltoid muscle. Key-hole decompression takes about 1 hour to perform. Normally the patient is given a general anaesthetic. An injection of local anaesthetic can be given into the lower neck to anaesthetise the arm, which lasts for about 8 hours following the operation. This keeps the patient very comfortable through their early recovery. If at operation the tendons are found to be torn then they may be repaired by either arthroscopic or open surgery.

The patient wakes up in a sling in the theatre recovery unit. They are then transferred back to the ward. Most surgery is performed as a day case but some older or frailer patients stay in over night. Physiotherapy is started early with the first sessions given before the patient goes home. Full range of movement exercises as started as soon as the patient can tolerate it. Your physiotherapist will advise you on what you can do and give you a personalised routine of exercises. Normally the sling can be removed after 48 hours. You will normally be off work for about 6 weeks though some patients take longer and some shorter.

This 'Mr Hughes webpage'  also includes a summary of the surgeon's current and previous research interests together with a summary of courses which Mr Hughes has attended