0-6 weeks: Arm in a sling for comfort. Perform pendular exercises as well as exercises for the hand, wrist and elbow to maintain mobility. Restore normal glenohumeral and scapulothoracic motion and function with early full active ROM exercises including overhead elevation. Perform scapular exercises. Allow repetitive and sustained internal and external rotation stretching (including sleeper stretches if tolerated). Following ACJ excision patients may find it sore to elevate the arm overhead for the first 3 weeks - thus progress may be encouraged as tolerated.
6-12 weeks: Progress to rotator cuff strengthening exercises. Can lift and carry objects as tolerated. Can return to non-contact sporting activities such as running, swimming and on road cycling.
>12 weeks: Return to full activities as tolerated.