This leaflet contains discharge advice following your attendance to the Accident & Emergency Department (A&E) or Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC).
You have been diagnosed with a sprain to your Acromio-Clavicular Joint (ACJ) at the tip of your shoulder.
Discharge advice
This injury does not require surgery for a good outcome, although most patients will be left with a little 'bump' over the joint.
It may take 6 weeks for the majority of movement to return due to the swelling and pain. To minimise stiffness, you must use pain killers to move your shoulder even though this is painful.
We advise you to try not to use the sling after 2 weeks otherwide the shoulder and elbow will become very stiff. Physiotherapy can help to reassure you and encourage the use of the shoulder again.
Most patients can return to work at around 4 weeks after the initial injury. If you have a job which requires you to perform heavy manual work you can return after 6 weeks.
Should you have any worries or concerns following discharge from your local hospital, please contact:
Fracture Line - 8:30am - 5:30pm, Monday to Friday - 0161 778 5372
Emergency Departments (Out of hours):
Fairfield General Hospital - 0161 778 2600
Royal Oldham Hospital - 0161 627 8933
Rochdale Infirmary - 01706 517023
Date of Review: December 2023
Date of Next Review: December 2025
Ref No: PI_M_1235 (Oldham)