Procedure most useful in surgical treatment of supraspinatus syndrome or bursitis. Patient is placed in lateral decubitus position, and saber-cut incision is made over acromioclavicular joint. Periosteum is incised lateral to acromioclavicular joint and retracted medially, and acromion is divided with separation of deltoid muscle and with division of acromioclavicular and coracoacromial ligaments. This allows inspection and excision of bursa tissue.