What are the sternoclavicular joints?

What are the sternoclavicular joints?

The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is one of the four joints that complete the shoulder. The joint is located in the spot where the clavicle (collarbone) meets the sternum (breastbone) at the base of the neck. Although not common, problems with the SC joint can arise from injury and other disorders.

How do you treat a sternoclavicular joint?

For an SC sprain, treatment may include icing, inflammation and/or pain control with medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen, and using a sling or a brace. If a dislocation occurs, treatment and its degree of urgency depends on which direction the clavicle is dislocated.

Where is the sternoclavicular joint located?

The sternoclavicular joint is a synovial joint between the clavicle and the manubrium of the sternum. It is the only attachment of the upper limb to the axial skeleton. Despite its strength, it is a very mobile joint and can function more like a ball-and-socket type joint.

What is the sternoclavicular joint function?

The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a saddle-shaped, synovial joint that serves as the primary skeletal connection between the axial skeleton and the upper limb.

Why do I have pain in my sternoclavicular joint?

Non-traumatic causes of sternoclavicular pain include arthropathies (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid, seronegative, crystal), infection (septic arthritis or osteomyelitis), SAPHO (synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis) syndrome, condensing osteitis, Friedrich disease, and multidirectional instability.

Can you dislocate your sternoclavicular joint?

Sternoclavicular joint dislocations are rare and represent only 3% of all dislocations around the shoulder[1]. Despite the uncommon nature of these injuries they can present the clinician with uncertainty regarding their investigation and management. Dislocations may be either traumatic or atraumatic.

What does a joint subluxation feel like?

With a subluxation, you may feel the bone moving in and out of your socket. Typically, you’ll experience a good deal of pain and swelling in your shoulder. You may have trouble moving your arm or hear a clicking sound when you do so. You may also feel numbness or tingling along your arm or in your fingers.

Why is my sternoclavicular joint swollen?

The sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) is an integral part of the shoulder girdle that connects the upper limb to the axial skeleton. Swelling of the SCJ is commonly due to trauma, degeneration, infections and other disease processes that affect synovial joints.

Can you get arthritis in your sternoclavicular joint?

Abstract. Primary osteoarthritis of the sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) is relatively common, occurring in 90% of people over age 60, and must be considered in the differential of chest wall pain. Lesions typically appear after age 40 years and are either bilateral or slightly more common in the SCJ of the dominant hand.