What is Sternoclavicular Separation?
The sternoclavicular joint is a joint at the center of your upper chest, connecting your breastbone and collarbone, and held together by a strong band of ligaments. A sternoclavicular separation occurs when the ligaments connecting these two bones together are injured.
Causes of Sternoclavicular Separation
A sternoclavicular joint separation may be caused by:
- A direct impact to your breastbone or collarbone.
- A fall onto your shoulder or onto your outstretched hand, putting pressure on your collarbone
- A contact-sport injury
Symptoms of Sternoclavicular Separation
Signs and symptoms of sternoclavicular separation include:
- Pain
- Tenderness
- Loss of motion
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Displacement of the collarbone
Diagnosis of sternoclavicular separation
Your doctor will review your symptoms, medical history, and perform a thorough physical examination to assess the range of motion, stability, and strength of the joint. Additional diagnostic tests may be ordered, including X-rays, MRI, and CT scans.
Treatment for Sternoclavicular Separation
Conservative treatment is usually effective, but in cases of a severely unstable joint, surgery is required. Treatment methods include:
Conservative method:
- Medications: You will be provided with anti-inflammatory pain medications to reduce swelling.
- Resting your joint: You will be instructed to avoid activities that provoke pain and to make use of a sling to immobilize your shoulder and arm.
- Application of ice pack: An ice pack can be applied for 15-20 minutes,3-4 times a day, for 2-3 days after the injury to reduce swelling and pain.
- Physical therapy: Specific exercises can be done to help strengthen the shoulder muscles.
Surgery:
Surgery is necessary in cases of severe instability of the joint when conservative measures are ineffective. Your surgeon will make small incisions in the joint through which specialized instruments can be inserted to repair and reattach the torn ligaments and stabilize the bones.
Related Topics:
- Shoulder Instability
- Anterior Shoulder Instability
- Posterior Shoulder Instability
- Arthritis of the Shoulder
- Sternoclavicular Arthritis
- Acromioclavicular (AC) Arthritis
- Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint Osteoarthritis
- Rotator Cuff Tear
- Rotator Cuff Pain
- Shoulder Pain
- Shoulder Labral Tear
- SLAP Tears
- Shoulder Labral Tear with Instability
- Shoulder Fracture
- Fracture of the Shoulder Blade (Scapula)
- Clavicle Fracture
- Glenoid Fractures
- Proximal Humerus Fractures
- Periprosthetic Shoulder Fracture
- Shoulder Ligament Injuries
- Baseball & Shoulder Injuries
- Throwing Injuries of the Shoulder
- Sternoclavicular Joint Injury
- Sternoclavicular (SC) Joint Injuries
- Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint Injuries
- Shoulder Impingement
- Subacromial Impingement Syndrome
- Internal Impingement of the Shoulder
- Snapping Scapula
- Frozen Shoulder
- Shoulder Trauma
- Shoulder Bursitis
- Rotator Cuff Bursitis
- Proximal Biceps Tendinitis
- Shoulder Dislocation
- Bicep Tendon Rupture
- Little League Shoulder
- Shoulder Tendonitis
- Shoulder Disorders
- Acromioclavicular Joint Sprains
- Subluxation
- Overhead Athlete's Shoulder
- Post-traumatic Stiffness of the Shoulder
- Sternoclavicular Joint (SC joint)
- Rotator Cuff Re-tear
- Partial Rotator Cuff Tear
- Sternoclavicular Separation
- AC Joint Separation
- Proximal Biceps Tenodesis
- Proximal Biceps Tendon Rupture
- Long Head Biceps Tendon Rupture
- Multidirectional Instability of the Shoulder
- AC Joint Dislocation/Acromioclavicular Joint Dislocation
- Calcification Tendinitis