How effective is fracture fixation surgery for AC joint injury?

The acromioclavicular, or AC, joint sits where the collarbone meets the shoulder blade. An injury can stretch or tear the supporting ligaments and may leave the joint displaced. Fixation surgery uses hardware, sutures or a reconstruction technique chosen for the injury to hold the area while tissues heal.

Surgery does not instantly restore strength or shoulder movement. Recovery includes wound care, a period of protected movement, and staged physiotherapy. The plan depends on joint displacement, ligament damage, arm use, symptoms and the surgeon’s assessment. Some hardware may need later discussion if it irritates the area.

Keep the dressing and incision clean as instructed, use the sling for the prescribed period, and avoid lifting or reaching until cleared. Perform only the exercises provided by the surgical and physiotherapy teams. Attend wound and progress reviews so movement and load can advance without overstressing the repair.

Contact the surgical team promptly for spreading redness, drainage, fever, wound opening, worsening pain or new arm swelling. Seek urgent care for chest pain, breathlessness, a cold or blue hand, or sudden loss of hand movement. A new prominence or change in shoulder shape should also be reviewed.

Ask what part of the AC joint is unstable, what the fixation is intended to hold, how long the sling and lifting restrictions apply, and when physiotherapy begins. Ask about wound checks, hardware symptoms and the signs of a repair problem.