AC joint dislocation - is taping an option?

Hi folks, new member seeking advice and guidance.

I sustained a severe AC joint separation last week in a fall from a bicycle. Been told to rest it in a sling for 4 weeks, and that surgery is unlikely.

Have an appointment to see local physio next week, but a sporty friend suggested googling 'joint taping'. Do any of the practitioners here have an opinion on taping during the healing process, or is it best kept for support post-repair ?

88 views and no comments?

Anyone taped an AC joint? What was the purpose and outcome ?

Will taping it help the healing process, in your experience ?

Hi slowsider,

Taping an AC joint is pretty simple- your sporty friend could probably do it for you. Taping will help to give you pain relief by providing external support to the joint as it heals. It will give you more support than a simple sling. There are more complicated slings and braces that you can buy (order through a physio or health professional) which make it easier in these type of situations as it is easier to use a brace repetitively than to tape repetitively (can get expensive and also irritate your skin). Bracing or taping is definitely a good idea as it will hold the joint in an optimal position as the scarring of the ligaments attaching the joint occurs. It will also help to carry some of the weight of the arm and stop you from getting complications such as a sore neck from altered use of your arm.

However, it is a definitely a good idea to also see a physio for further assessment and treatment (such as ultrasound), advice and exercises- have you been to one yet?

dear bikelet,

I presume the tape you are talking about is the rigid therapeutic tape.
There are more than one way of taping, using the non elastic therapeutic tape and using elastic therapeutic tape (known as Kinesiotape).

dear slowsider,
Would always suggest you have your shoulder checked by a physiotherapist first.
You may need more than a tape only.... and assessment results wil indicate which type of taping will be best in your case.
Evidence regarding the effect of both tape types is meager.

Thanks to you both for answers. I am indded now under physiotherapist care, but physio was ambivalent about the benefits of taping, so for the present we are proceeding with rotator cuff exercises and bracing, together with ultrasound and laser treatment. Orthopaedic review is in 3 weeks' time, but I am keen to do what I can in the interim.

Hi Estherderu,

I should have specified that I meant rigid strapping tape. I am aware that there is more than one way to strap the AC joint, however in my experience using rigid tape is most common. This is a basic technique with the primary aim of offloading the shoulder. While the evidence may not be great, it still might give some acute pain relief.

Slow sider- good to hear that you have gotten to see a physio and all the best with treatment.