Acromioclavicular Joint Reconstruction
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 5, 2024.
Acromioclavicular joint (AC) reconstruction is surgery to repair a ligament injury. Your arm will be put into a sling to keep it from moving while you heal. You may have a stiff or painful shoulder after surgery. This is normal and should get better with time and physical therapy. It is important to go to all physical therapy sessions. You will be shown how to do exercises that will help increase your range of motion. Physical therapy will continue for several weeks after surgery.
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DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:
Seek care immediately if:
- Blood soaks through your bandage.
- You cannot feel or move your fingers or arm.
Contact your healthcare provider if:
- You have signs of infection in the surgery wound, such as swelling, pus, or red streaks.
- You have a fever or chills.
- You have severe pain that is not helped with pain medicine.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
Medicines:
- Prescription pain medicine may be given. Ask your healthcare provider how to take this medicine safely. Some prescription pain medicines contain acetaminophen. Do not take other medicines that contain acetaminophen without talking to your healthcare provider. Too much acetaminophen may cause liver damage. Prescription pain medicine may cause constipation. Ask your healthcare provider how to prevent or treat constipation.
- Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.
Apply ice to your shoulder:
Ice helps decrease swelling and pain and may help prevent tissue damage. Use an ice pack, or put crushed ice in a plastic bag. Cover the bag with a towel before you apply it to your skin. Apply the pack or bag to your shoulder for 15 to 20 minutes every hour or as directed. Your healthcare provider will tell you how often to do this and for how many days after surgery.
Care for your incision wound as directed:
- Keep your wound dry. When your healthcare provider says it is okay to bathe, cover the incision wound with a plastic bag. Tape the ends of the bag to your skin so water does not get in. Take showers instead of baths until your healthcare provider says it is okay to take a bath. Do not swim or soak in a hot tub.
- Clean your wound as directed. Your healthcare provider will tell you when it is okay to remove the bandage and care for your wound. He or she will tell you how often to clean the wound and what to use to clean it. Check for signs of infection each time you care for the wound. Signs include pus, swelling, a fever, chills, and red streaks coming from the wound.
Activity:
- Your healthcare provider and physical therapist will give you specific instructions to follow. Your physical therapist will tell you how you can move your arm for the first 6 months after surgery. You will be shown how to reach for objects safely. It is very important to follow the instructions carefully so your shoulder heals correctly.
- Your healthcare provider will tell you when you can start driving and doing your normal activities again. Tell your provider what kind of work you do. You may need specific instructions if you do work that requires lifting objects or moving your arm overhead. You may be able to return to work after about 12 to 16 weeks. You will not be able to play contact sports or do anything strenuous for up to 6 months after surgery.
- Do not raise your arm higher than 90 degrees for the first 6 weeks after surgery. Do not lift anything heavier than 2 pounds.
Go to physical therapy as directed:
Physical therapy will happen in 4 phases:
- The protective phase is the first 6 weeks after surgery. You will need to protect your shoulder by wearing a sling. Your healthcare providers will tell you how long to wear the sling each day and if you need to sleep in it. During this time, you will mainly do passive range-of-motion exercises. This means your physical therapist will gently move your shoulder in different directions to keep it flexible. You will also need to do pendulum exercises. This means you will lean on a table and let your arm dangle freely. You will move your arm back and forth at the shoulder. Your physical therapist will show you how to do this and tell you how often to do it.
- The moderate protection phase is from week 7 to week 12. You will start wearing the sling less often. Physical therapy will focus on strengthening your shoulder. Your physical therapist will help you do this safely. You may also need to do stretching exercises at week 10 to improve your range of motion.
- The minimum protection phase is from week 13 to week 20. You will be doing active and passive range-of-motion exercises at this stage. You will also do exercises to increase strength.
- The advanced strengthening phase is from week 21 to week 26. At this stage, you will be doing advanced exercises to increase strength.
Follow up with your doctor as directed:
Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
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