Grade 3 AC Joint Sprain

A little background. 14 year old son suffered a grade 3 AC joint sprain while playing soccer (he is a goalie). Has no real pain after 1 week. Saw the orthopedic surgeon who recommended no surgery, lots of icing and advil every 6 hours for a few days. At week 3 he will see my son again and the plan is to start physical therapy.

The end of the collarbone sticks up above his shoulder and is very noticeable. My son can push on it and make it move. My question si, how does physical therapy get him back to the point of being able to play soccer again where as a goalie there will be times that he dives and lands on that shoulder? The ortho said it will be about 2 months before he can play again, but I can't envision how this thing can be "fixed".

Frustrated for my son.

Rick

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Physiotherapy helps in muscle strengthening that helps in firm positioning of a joint. If your doctor believes that surgery would not be necessary, he is probably correct. I would suggest following the treatment suggested. If the healing does not take place upto a functional capability, a surgery can always be done later.
Hope this was useful.

Take care!