AC Joint Reconstruction

UCLA Department of Orthopaedic Surgery - Sports Medicine · Thomas Kremen MD

Weight-Bearing

N/A (upper extremity)

Key Restrictions

Arm sling x 4 wks; no elevation >70° in any plane x 3 wks; no lifting >5 lbs x 6 wks; avoid excessive reaching and ER/IR x 6 wks; no overhead lifting until wks 12+; ice shoulder 3-5x/day 15 min; MD follow-up Day 10-14, Month 1, Month 3, Month 4; PT visit Day 3-4 post-op

Timeline & Phases

Wk 1: pendulum exercises (cradled/elbow bent), squeeze ball, biceps/triceps theraband, isometric RC ER/IR at side, isometric shoulder AB/AD/ext/flex at side (3x/day) | Wks 2-4: sling use, strapping tape for AC compression (optional), soft tissue treatments | Wks 4-8: mid-range RC ER/IR active and light resistance through 75% ROM without elevation, progress toward 90° shoulder flex/abduction | Wks 8-12: full ROM all planes, wand/pulley exercises, scapular training (rows, protractions, lower trap, PNF), no overhead lifting | Wks 12+: aggressive RC program, progressive resistance, functional/sports training, RTS via sport-specific functional testing

Notes

Ice 3-5x/day 15 min for inflammation control; strapping tape for secondary AC compression optional wks 2-4; ROM goal 90° flex/abduction by wks 4-8; full ROM by wks 8-12; RC strengthening avoids elevation initially (wks 4-8) progressing to full overhead wks 12+; RTS determined by PT via sport-specific functional testing; Kremen MD UCLA PatientPop practice site

Surgeon / Author

Thomas Kremen MD