How long does it take for an acromioclavicular ligament sprain to heal?

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.

How do you rehab a sprained AC joint?

Luckily, AC joint rehab usually consists of physical therapy alone, avoiding surgery altogether….AC joint recovery exercises may include:

1. Neck rotation.
2. Shoulder rolls.
3. Neck stretches.
4. Shoulder blade squeeze.
5. Laying down shoulder flexion.
6. Standing shoulder extension.
7. Goalpost stretch.

How do you rehab a Grade 2 AC joint?

Type II injuries should avoid heavy lifting, pushing, pulling or contact sports for at least 6 weeks. Type III injuries typically have full ROM at 2-3 weeks with gentle ROM exercises and return to activity in 6-12 weeks with protection of AC joint.

What does the acromioclavicular ligament do?

The acromioclavicular ligament serves to reinforce the joint capsule and serves as the primary restraint to posterior translation and posterior axial rotation at the AC joint.

How long does it take for a Grade 1 AC joint separation to heal?

This usually takes about 2 weeks for a grade I injury, 6 weeks for a grade II injury, and up to 12 weeks for a grade III injury. Surgery may be necessary for AC separations that do not respond well to non-operative treatment.

How do you treat acromioclavicular ligament?

Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint Injury Treatment Goals and Options

1. Icing the shoulder.
2. Putting your arm in a sling to decrease motion.
3. Taking NSAIDs, like ibuprofen or naproxen, to help with pain.

What stabilizes the acromioclavicular joint?

The AC joint is stabilized by the two sets of ligaments; A pair of intrinsic ligaments found within the articular capsule; the superior and inferior acromioclavicular ligaments. A single extrinsic ligament found outside the joint capsule; the coracoclavicular ligament.

What are the rehabilitation protocols for acromioclavicular joint injury?

Rehabilitation protocols for AC joint injuries should be less formulaic and instead allow for critical thinking and effective communication among clinicians and therapists to address individual patient needs. Keywords: acromioclavicular joint, AC joint, rehabilitation, physical therapy Introduction

How do you treat acromioclavicular joint separation 215?

Acromioclavicular Joint Separations 215 and self-care activities may be accompanied by pain, indicating the need for further protection with continued use of a sling. Following the cessation of pain at rest with the arm at the side and with self-care activities, immobilization is discontinued.

Which maneuvers should be avoided in the treatment of acromioclavicular joint pain?

Provocative maneuvers including cross-body adduction, internal rotation behind the body, and end-ROM should be avoided until the pain has decreased. Furthermore, active ROM should be delayed, as the long lever arm and the weight of the upper extremity can stress the AC joint, worsening the pain.

What is the 4-part protocol for the treatment of AC joint injuries?

Gladstone and colleagues28described a 4-part physical therapy protocol for the treatmentofgradeI,II,andIIIACjointinjuriesinathletes.Phase1focusesontheelim- ination of pain and protection of the AC joint through sling immobilization (3–10 days), along with the prevention of muscular atrophy.