Shoulder Decompression / AC Joint — General Shoulder Arthroscopy (Debridement / Subacromial Decompression / Distal Clavicle Resection)

University of New Mexico (UNM) Sports Medicine · Will Curtis MD, Dustin Richter MD, Christopher Shultz MD, Gehron Treme MD…

Weight-Bearing

N/A (upper extremity)

Key Restrictions

Sling until comfortable (typically 1-2 weeks); avoid horizontal adduction x 6 weeks if distal clavicle resection; no conventional weight lifting until 6 weeks

Timeline & Phases

0-2 wks: sling until comfortable, RC isometrics, scapular exercises, AROM/PROM to 90 deg (flexion/abd/IR/ER); 2-6 wks: RC isotonics (up to 6-8 lbs, 5-6 sets x 15-20 reps), scapular strengthening, proprioception, isokinetics (60 deg block, 60-180 deg/sec); 6 wks+: conventional weight lifting, full ROM isokinetics (up to 360 deg/sec); return to sport at surgeon discretion

Notes

PT starts 0-2 weeks post-op, 1-2x/week for 12+ weeks; avoid horizontal adduction x 6 weeks for distal clavicle resection; revised 2025

Surgeon / Author

Will Curtis MD, Dustin Richter MD, Christopher Shultz MD, Gehron Treme MD, Andrew Veitch MD

Published

2025