Surgical procedures
AC joint repair
Stabilizing the acromioclavicular joint at the top of the shoulder after a high-grade separation, or relieving a painful, worn joint that hasn't responded to nonsurgical care.
Joint stabilization
Outpatient
Arthroscopic-assisted
What is an AC joint repair?
The AC joint is the small joint where the collarbone meets the shoulder blade, held in place by strong ligaments. A hard fall can tear those ligaments, a shoulder separation, and repeated stress can wear the joint itself.
Depending on the problem, repair may mean reconstructing the torn ligaments with sturdy fixation or a graft, or removing a small sliver of the arthritic end of the collarbone so the joint no longer grinds.
What & why
Why it's recommended
A high-grade shoulder separation with significant displacement
Ongoing pain or instability after a separation treated in a sling
AC joint arthritis that has not responded to injections and therapy
Overhead athletes and laborers who need a stable, pain-free joint
At a glance
Most separations heal without surgery
Lower-grade separations do well with a sling and therapy. Surgery is reserved for severe separations and joints that stay painful.
Anesthesia & hospital stay
General anesthesia
Completely asleep, often with a regional arm block.
About 1 hour
A focused procedure on the AC joint, at the top of the shoulder.
Home same day
AC joint repair is an outpatient procedure.
Outpatient setting
Performed at Summit Atlantic Surgery Center or Overlook.
The day of surgery
The procedure takes about an hour and is often arthroscopic-assisted through small incisions. You'll be fully asleep with a regional block.
Recovery timeline & milestones
What recovery looks like
Recovery protects the healing ligaments first, then rebuilds motion and strength in stages.
Protect
A sling protects the reconstruction while the ligaments begin to heal.
Restore motion
Therapy gradually returns shoulder motion in a protected range.
Strengthen
Progressive strengthening rebuilds the muscles that support the joint.
Return
A staged return to overhead sport and heavy work.
Risks & benefits
Weighing the procedure
- Restores stability at the top of the shoulder
- Relieves pain from a separated or arthritic joint
- Improves the contour of a prominent separation
- Often performed through small, arthroscopic assisted incisions
- Residual prominence of the collarbone
- Stiffness during recovery
- Stretching of the reconstruction over time, uncommon
- Infection or hardware irritation, uncommon
Treats these conditions
This procedure treats AC joint injuries, including separations and arthritis.
FAQ
Common questions
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Reconstruction usually improves the contour substantially, though a small residual prominence can remain. For most patients the goal is a stable, pain-free joint.
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Typically about four weeks, longer than many shoulder procedures, to protect the healing ligaments.
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Light overhead activity usually returns around three months, with full overhead sport and heavy labor by four to six months.
Related conditions