Pain due to subacromial decompression

There will be pain before and after the operation. The painful impingement syndrome is the most common indication for subacromial decompression. In the days following the operation, there may be slight pain in the wound and surgical area again.

Slight injuries of the soft tissues and operated structures are always present during surgery. Often small blood vessels are also injured, which may cause minor bruising in the shoulder joint. These are sometimes painful, but should not last longer than a few days to a few weeks. The actual pain caused by the impingement syndrome should not reoccur after the operation. If there is slight pain due to the operation, drugs such as ibuprofen or paracetamol can be taken temporarily.

Aftercare

Immediately after the operation, cooling measures (cryotherapy measures) are taken to reduce the pain and especially to reduce the swelling of the soft tissue. In addition, analgesic and decongestant medications can be prescribed individually as needed.In order to allow the wound secretion to drain away from the operated area, a so-called Redon – Drainage can be inserted. This drainage is removed approximately one to two days after the operation.

During the first few days, the arm is usually immobilized with the help of an arm sling. In order to get the arm moving again as quickly as possible and to ensure that the arm can move again, physiotherapeutic post-operative treatment is prescribed from the 1st day after the operation. On the one hand, this includes so-called passive movements, which the physiotherapist performs in a leading role, but also – after a certain lead time – active movements, which the patient performs under physiotherapeutic guidance.

In addition, there is the possibility of follow-up treatment with the help of a motorized movement splint (= CPM). While the patient sits on a chair, the shoulder is positioned on an electrically driven movement splint and painless movement of the shoulder is initiated. As a rule, patients find treatment with CPM pleasant. The movement splint can be adjusted continuously and according to individual requirements.