Resection Lateral Clavicle

Excision Arthroplasty Acromioclavicular Joint
Postoperative Protocol / Guidelines

Day 1 

• Cryocuff / ice pack and sling

Day 2

• Discharge
• Ice packs to decrease swelling regularly / 3 times day 1st week
• Intermittently out of sling pendular exercises only until 2 week check use arm at side of body for normal activities
• Postural advice

2 Weeks

• Follow up shoulder clinic
• Wound check +/-  stitch removal
  • Commence all phase I and II exercises if pain allows
  • Avoid overhead passive ROM exercises 1st 4 weeks (may affect maturation scar tissue in Resected joint -lead to long term pain + hypermobility)
  • Postural scapula positioning exercises

4 weeks

• Phase II exercises
• Weight bearing exercises to stimulate rotator cuff
• Scapula control

8 weeks

• Phase III exercises
• Strengthening  exercises begin
  • Progress dynamic scapula control
  • Encourage normal function in all ADL
  • Begin to return to non-contact sport
  • Caution with repetitive overarm use eg tennis, freestyle swimming

12 weeks

• Specific strengthening for function / if necessary
• Weight training if desirable
• Training for non contact sports
• Pain in the area usually mostly gone except for fatigue ache with repetitive use above the shoulder

6 months

• Returning to normal strength, motion and function return to contact sports