The relationship between acromial morphology and conservative treatment of patients with impingement syndrome.

This study assessed the predictive value of acromial morphology in the treatment outcome of patients with impingement syndrome. Sixty-five patients with impingement syndrome were treated by a single orthopedic surgeon according to the same protocol and initially received the same conservative modalities. The incidence of acromial types in the nonoperative group was significantly different from those in the operative group (P=.008). A large proportion (88.9%) of the patients with type I acromions responded to conservative measures, while fewer (73.1%) patients with type II acromions responded to conservative measures. The majority (58.3%) of patients with type III acromions required surgical intervention. Acromial morphology appears to have a predictive value in determining the success of conservative measures and the need for surgery in patients with impingement syndrome.