Do you know where our AC Joint is? Our AC joint is where our shoulder blade connects to the clavicle at the top of our shoulder. This joint helps keep our shoulder stabilized in place and is a significant factor for shoulder motion, control, and strength. An injury can occur when the capsule and ligaments in the joint are damaged. The name of the operation given to treat damaged or arthritis AC joints is Resection Arthroplasty, where the surgeon removes a part of your collarbone. If you need AC Joint Reconstruction Surgery and are looking for the best shoulder surgeon in NYC, contact Dines Orthopedics today and schedule an appointment!
What is AC Joint Surgery?
If you were to injure your shoulder and experience pain and a decrease in motion, you should seek medical attention. Also, you should contact your doctor if you notice a bump or swelling over the AC joint on the top of your shoulder. If you have ongoing pain in this part of your shoulder that fails to get better with rest, ice, and basic pain medication, it should be evaluated for surgery.
The type of surgery you will need to stabilize your acromioclavicular joint will depend on how in-depth your injury is. If you injured your AC joint less than a month ago, you would have an arthroscopic repair. For people who experience this more frequently, reconstruction of the ligaments is typically needed, and an operation is performed.
Another surgery given is Resection Arthroplasty. Arthroplasty is an operation to rebuild your joint, while Resection means to take something out. Resection Arthroplasty is a surgery where your doctor removes part of your joint to aid the symptoms. Over time, the space that is left will get filled with scar tissue.
Reconstructive surgery involves making an incision on the top of the shoulder as the AC joint is put back into its regular position. It can be held together with many different methods, including metal implants and others with sutures. The goal is for the ligaments attaching the clavicle to a bone on the shoulder blade to be reconstructed. If you need AC Joint Reconstruction Surgery and are looking for the best shoulder surgeon in NYC, contact Dines Orthopedics today and schedule an appointment!
How To Prepare For The Surgery
First, your doctor has to make sure that you are healthy enough for surgery. They’ll likely start with a basic physical evaluation and some basic tests. Doctors usually perform blood tests, a chest X-ray, and a cardiogram to ensure you’re prepared. You may also get X-rays on your joint to help guide the surgery. If you take any medicines or supplements, you may need to avoid taking them before. A big challenge many don’t think about before undergoing an operation is that if the surgery involves your dominant arm, it may present several daily challenges for you. Women may need to stop wearing a bra for multiple weeks afterward because the strap goes right over the incision.
Recovery
After your surgery, your doctor will put your shoulder in a sling. The sling must stay on for roughly six weeks after the surgery, and you will not be able to reach or lift your arm for up to two months. You will also need to perform exercises to rehabilitate and strengthen the tissues in your arm. This will improve the range of motion in your shoulder and prevent scarring while the ligaments heal. Exercises to strengthen your shoulder will slowly be added to your rehabilitation plan to build your strength back. Physical therapy will be your best friend during recovery as it will help restore the motion and strength of your shoulder to help it function correctly.
Treatment at Dines Orthopedics – Best Shoulder Surgeon in NYC
Our joints have to experience a great amount of wear and tear throughout our lifetime. But this isn’t the only thing that can cause joint problems: age, genetics, diet, and chronic inflammation can contribute to shoulder problems. If you do not take this seriously, these conditions can lead to chronic pain and dysfunction. If you experience pain and a loss of motion, you should seek medical treatment. At Dines Orthopedics, our doctors specialize in shoulder services and have immense experience getting patients back to health! To learn more about our services and the best shoulder surgeon in NYC, contact Dines Orthopedics today and schedule an appointment!