SC Joint Reconstruction — Sternoclavicular Joint Reconstruction

Massachusetts General Hospital · MGH Sports Medicine

Weight-Bearing

Sling x 6 wks (or per surgeon); no GH PROM; no scapular AROM Phase I (0-6 wks)

Key Restrictions

No GH PROM or AROM Phase I (0-6 wks); no scapular AROM (protraction, retraction, depression, elevation) Phase I; no bearing weight through involved extremity; GH PROM/AAROM begins 6-8 wks; scapular AROM and strengthening at 8 wks; no lifting >5 lbs until 9 wks; no lifting restrictions at ~4 months

Timeline & Phases

3 phases: Phase I (0-6 wks, sling, elbow/wrist/hand AROM only — NO shoulder or scapular motion), Phase II (6-12 wks, GH PROM/AAROM at 6-8 wks, scapular AROM + strengthening at 8 wks, wean sling), Phase III (13+ wks, progressive strengthening to 90 deg ABD, sport-specific; no lifting restrictions at ~4 months)

Notes

No shoulder or scapular motion Phase I (most restrictive initial phase); tendon autograft harvest site possible; GH and scapular rehab both delayed until wks 6-8; RTS requires 5/5 RC strength at 90 deg ABD; QuickDASH and PENN outcome measures used. [Archived copy — original Massachusetts General Hospital URL retired in the Mass General Brigham site migration; Wayback snapshot 2025-02-16.]

Surgeon / Author

MGH Sports Medicine