This will result in only a sprain of the AC joint, and will hurt but not show any evidence of an acromioclavicular joint dislocation. Type II : where heavier force is applied to the shoulder—disrupting the AC ligaments but leaving the coracoclavicular ligaments intact but sprained. When these injuries occur, the lateral clavicle becomes more prominent. Type IV : where there is posterior displacement of the clavicle, buttonholing through the trapezius muscle.
Type V : where the clavicle is widely displaced as a result of disruption of muscle attachments. Type VI rare : where there is inferior displacement of the distal clavicle below the acromial process or the coracoid process. Once an AC joint injury is officially diagnosed, your physician will work with you to develop an individualized plan of action to start your recovery.
Most patients with AC joint injuries will start to feel better within a few days or a week of the injury—but it can take at least six weeks for the AC ligaments to fully heal. Rolf of Beacon Orthopaedics received extensive training in advanced arthroscopic techniques and world-class experience in complex shoulder reconstructive procedures for tendon transfers, shoulder replacement, and reverse shoulder replacement procedures.
Several studies have looked at what happens to the AC joint after this injury. It appears that many people, whether they had the joint repaired surgically or not, will need an operation at some time in the future. The injured joint degenerates faster than normal. Over time it becomes arthritic and painful. This process may take years to develop, but sometimes it happens within one or two years. Since there is little danger of making the condition worse, you can usually do whatever activities you can tolerate.
After surgery, your surgeon may ask you to wear a sling to support and protect the shoulder for a few days. A physiotherapist will probably direct your recovery program.
Physiotherapists usually wait four weeks before starting range-of-motion exercises. You will usually begin with passive exercises where the shoulder joint is moved but your muscles stay relaxed. You may also be able to see that the collarbone is out of place or notice a bump on the shoulder. Your doctor will likely take an x-ray of the shoulder to see the severity of the damage and make sure you haven't fractured your collarbone.
The main goals of treatment for an AC joint injury are to manage pain and allow the torn ligaments to heal. You will need to wear the sling for a few days to a week or more depending on how severe the injury. You will need to begin physical therapy as soon as you can, and do minimal exercise with your arm to avoid frozen shoulder.
Your doctor will decide the best course of treatment, based on the extent of damage to the joint. Health Alert:. The end of the clavicle is removed, and ligament is transferred from the underside of the acromion into the cut end of the clavicle to replace the ligaments torn during the dislocation.
Soon, an arthroscopic procedure should be available to restore the position of the joint, but at this point, only open surgery techniques are available. What is the post-operative treatment and rehabilitation?
Post-operatively, treatment depends on the type of surgery performed. Usually, when the Mumford procedure is performed using arthroscopic techniques, the arm can be treated with a sling. Bathing is allowed in three days' time, and elbow, wrist, and hand exercises are begun immediately. Lifting is limited for three weeks, but following that, progressive exercise and motion activities proceed as the symptoms allow.
When a Weaver-Dunn procedure rebuilding of the torn ligaments is needed, approximately two or three weeks is added to the immobilization time before motion exercises are begun. This time allows the ligament to heal.
Otherwise, the exercise program is the same as that for the Mumford procedure above. Skip to main content. The AC Acromioclavicular Joint.
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