Shoulder Decompression / AC Joint — Shoulder Debridement, Decompression and Distal Clavicle Excision

UW Health Sports Medicine · UW Health Sports Rehabilitation; UW Health Sports Medicine Physician group

Weight-Bearing

N/A (shoulder surgery)

Key Restrictions

Sling as needed for comfort; avoid repetitive overhead activities Phase II; no swimming until 5/5 RC at 90° (Phase III); post-rehab soreness should resolve within 12 hours

Timeline & Phases

Phase I (0-3 wks): sling as needed, PROM/AAROM all planes except horizontal adduction, isometrics; Phase II (4-5 wks): AROM, RC strengthening 0-45°, neuromuscular control; Phase III (7-8 wks): 5/5 RC at 90°, sport biomechanics; Phase IV (10-12 wks): RTS (surgeon and PT clearance)

Notes

Covers arthroscopic debridement of massive/irreparable RC or labral tears, subacromial decompression (acromioplasty), distal clavicle excision (Mumford procedure), and biceps tenotomy. 4-phase protocol; much shorter than repair protocols (RTS ~10-12 weeks). Updated 5/2019.

Surgeon / Author

UW Health Sports Rehabilitation; UW Health Sports Medicine Physician group

Published

2019-05