AC Joint Reconstruction

Sutter Health / Palo Alto Medical Foundation · Kevin Roth MD

Weight-Bearing

N/A (upper extremity)

Key Restrictions

Sling 0-6 wks (remove only for exercise/hygiene, performed supine or with gravity eliminated); avoid horizontal adduction throughout; vertical strengthening positions not permitted until wk 12; sport-specific exercises after wk 20 with MD clearance

Timeline & Phases

Phase I (0-8 wks): sling 0-6 wks (remove for exercise/hygiene in supine or gravity-eliminated position), gentle supine PROM avoiding horizontal adduction, closed chain scapular stabilizers/deltoid/RC in supine with gravity eliminated, shoulder and elbow isometrics | Phase II (8-16 wks): no sling, active ROM in prone position, active-assisted strength work in all ROMs, begin vertical positioning at 12 wks | Phase III (16-24 wks): full AROM in all planes, advance strengthening, sport-specific exercises after wk 20 with MD clearance

Notes

Published 2024; horizontal adduction avoided throughout all phases to protect AC reconstruction; all Phase I exercises performed supine or gravity-eliminated; vertical positioning delayed until wk 12; sport-specific activity requires MD clearance after wk 20; RTS 16-24 wks; Kevin Roth MD Orthopedic Sports Medicine, Palo Alto CA (650-853-2943)

Surgeon / Author

Kevin Roth MD

Published

2024