Subacromial Decompression — (with or without Distal Clavicle Excision)

University of Delaware Physical Therapy · UDPT Clinical Team

Weight-Bearing

N/A (shoulder); Codman exercises from sling week 1; no sling requirement documented

Key Restrictions

No heavy resisted flexion for 6 weeks; distal clavicle excision: ROM may be slower due to increased morbidity; posterior capsule tightness common after DCE (horizontal ADD often avoided pre-op due to AC joint pain)

Timeline & Phases

Week 1 (no formal PT, Codman exercises); Weeks 2-4 (2-3x/week, 6-9 visits: PROM all planes, AROM except ABD/flexion, GHJ mobs, scapular stab); Weeks 5-6 (1-3x/week, 8-15 visits: PREs all except flexion, begin resisted flexion gravity-minimized progressing to gravity-resisted); Weeks 7-8 (10-21 visits: PREs all motions, dynamic stab, sport/work specific, MMT 5/5); 10-21 visits total

Notes

University of Delaware PT Clinic; isolated subacromial pathology; subacromial decompression with or without distal clavicle excision; shortest recovery of UD shoulder protocols; GHJ mobs grade III/IV if hypomobile, grade I/II if normal; full PROM and normal GHJ mobility target by weeks 2-4; full AROM target weeks 5-6; MMT 5/5 and return to sport/work target weeks 7-8

Surgeon / Author

UDPT Clinical Team