Sterno Clavicular

sternoclavicular joint sprain
A sprain is the over-stretching or tearing of the ligaments, and in this case, of those in the sternoclavicular (SC) joint. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is important because it helps support the shoulder. The SC joint links the bones of the arms and shoulder to the vertical skeleton. Most SC joint problems are relatively minor. However, certain types of injuries require immediate medical attention.

What causes a sternoclavicular joint sprain?
The SC joint is one of the least commonly dislocated joints in the body. Car accidents cause nearly half of all SC dislocations. Sports injuries cause about 20 percent. Falls and other types of accidents cause the rest.

Indirect force causes most injuries to the SC joint. Indirect force involves something hitting the shoulder very hard. The shoulder is pushed in and rolled either forward or backward, affecting the SC joint.

When the SC joint is dislocated, it is usually an anterior dislocation. This means that the clavicle is pushed forward, in front of the sternum. Dislocating in the opposite direction is less common because the ligaments on the back side of the joint are so strong. Direct force against the front of the clavicle can push the end of the clavicle behind the sternum, into the area between the lungs. This is called a posterior dislocation. It takes a lot of force to cause a posterior dislocation due to the strength of the ligaments behind the joint.
Posterior dislocations can be very dangerous, because the area behind the sternum contains vital organs and tissues.

What are the symptoms of Sternoclavicular joint sprain?
If you have a sprain, you will have pain but the joint will still be stable. In moderate sprains the joint becomes unstable. In rare cases, patients have a stable joint but a painful clicking, grating, or popping feeling that indicates an injury to the intra-articular disc ligament. This type of injury causes pain and problems moving the SC joint.

However you will know immediately if your SC joint has dislocated as dislocation causes severe pain that gets worse with any arm movements. In anterior dislocation, the end of the clavicle juts out near the sternum. This causes a hard bump in the middle of the chest. In posterior dislocation, a bump is usually not obvious. With posterior dislocations you can have difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, or a feeling of choking. Some patients have trouble swallowing or have a tight feeling in their throats.

Physiotherapy treatments for Sternoclavicular joint sprain
For sprains rest the joint for two to three days which usually resolves any problems
Cold Therapy
For moderate sprains you may require some help to get the joint back into position
Figure-eight strap wraps around both shoulders to support the SC joint help. Patients with a moderate sprain may need to wear this type of strap for four to six weeks. The strap protects the joint from another injury and lets the injured ligaments heal and become strong again.
Ultrasound

After a few days you should start range-of-motion exercises as pain eases, followed by a program of strengthening. At first, exercises are done with the arm below shoulder level. The program advances to include strength exercises for the rotator cuff and shoulder blade muscles. Ensure you seek professional advice on what exercises are best for you personally.