How Can I Protect My AC Joint?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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What is the treatment for AC joint separation? These can be very painful injuries and the initial treatment is to decrease the pain. This is best accomplished by

immobilizing the arm in a sling

, placing an ice pack to the shoulder for 20 to 30 minutes as often as every two hours and using pain medication.

How can I make my AC joint feel better?

What is the treatment for AC joint separation? These can be very painful injuries and the initial treatment is to decrease the pain. This is best accomplished by

immobilizing the arm in a sling

, placing an ice pack to the shoulder for 20 to 30 minutes as often as every two hours and using pain medication.

How do I stop my AC joint from hurting?

  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 is the fastest way to heal an AC joint?

  1. Rest. This allows your shoulder to heal. …
  2. Sling. This protects the shoulder and holds the joint in a good position for healing.
  3. Cold packs. These help reduce swelling and relieve pain.
  4. Prescription or over-the-counter pain medicines. …
  5. Arm and shoulder exercises.

How can I prevent my AC joint from dislocating?

Treatment of these injuries typically consists of

pain medication, cryotherapy

and the use of a sling for comfort for one to two weeks with the encouragement of early range of motion activities and weaning of the sling as pain permits.

Are push ups bad for AC joint?

The Shoulder Pain Culprit: Push-Ups

It may seem silly and unnecessary to address the issues with this exercise, but push-ups, when performed incorrectly,

can cause severe damage to the joints and muscles around the and elbows

.

What does a torn AC joint feel like?

Some of the signs and symptoms of AC injury are:


Pain on the top of the shoulder

.

Pain when lying on the involved side

.

Pain increases with heavy lifting or overhead and across body movements

.

Swelling and bruising along the shoulder

.

What aggravates AC joint?

Most often,

trauma

, such as a fall directly on the outside of the shoulder, causes an AC joint injury. Overuse (repeated lifting of heavy weights or objects overhead with poor mechanics) also can result in an AC joint injury.

Will my AC joint ever heal?

Depending on how severe the injury is, it may heal adequately

in two to three weeks

. In severe cases, the shoulder may not heal without surgery.

How long does an AC joint take to heal?

An AC sprain will take

up to 6 weeks or longer

to heal, depending on how severe it is. It is often treated with a sling. Or a sling and an elastic wrap around the chest may be used. Physical therapy may be needed to help the shoulder keep full range of motion.

How do you sleep with a torn AC joint?


Lie flat on your back with your

injured arm propped up with a pillow. Using a pillow may help reduce stress and pressure on your injured side. Lie on your uninjured side. If your right shoulder is injured, sleep on your left side.

What exercises can I do with AC joint injury?

Rest includes avoiding overhead reaching, reaching across the chest, lifting, leaning on the elbows, and sleeping directly on the shoulder.

Range-of-motion exercises

are recommended as soon as they can be tolerated. Range-of-motion exercises — Range-of-motion exercises are recommended early in the recovery period.

How do you treat AC joint inflammation?

  1. Activity modification—Your doctor may first recommend simply modifying your daily routine and avoiding activities that cause or aggravate symptoms.
  2. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs)—Drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen may help relieve pain, inflammation and swelling.

How serious is an AC joint injury?

Leaving your AC joint injury untreated means your condition can worsen, which can have serious consequences, such as:

Severe shoulder separation

.

Serious displacement or collarbone fracture

.

Arthritis in your shoulder

.

What is a Grade 3 AC joint separation?

Grade III-

The most severe shoulder separation

. This completely tears both the AC and CC ligaments and puts the AC joint noticeably out of position, with a larger bump.

How long does it take for a Grade 3 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.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.