Sternoclavicular injury?

[Ali13]

I've been to a&e about my collarbone and the doctor identified it as a sternoclavicular dislocation/sublux. He put it in a sling a said if it doesn't clear up that I should go to my GP to sort out getting it fused (as it's been like this for nearly a week now). I assume it's normal to have breathing difficulty and chest pain with this kind of injury?!

Does anyone know what fusing would involve? I can only find info about complications with the other end of the collarbone!

[chelseagirl]

Hey

I went to orthopaedics today regarding my sternoclavicular joint that i've suffered problems with for the past 18 years. All those years ago i was passed around from ortho to rheumy then to pain management who in the end said not sure what's causing your problem but maybe you would benefit from a clavicle replacement but its a huge operation and we wouldn't recommend it as it's never been done before. so i went away and suffered. Then some more years passed and the bone started to stick right out so i went to my gp who just sent me away saying if they couldn't help you before they wont be able to help you now. So again i went away and suffered some more.

I was recently diagnosed by Prof G with EDS-Hypermobility and he knew that i had an orthopaedic appointment and told me to take his report with me which part of it said he would be interested in the outcome of this consultation.The Ortho Consultant read my report and said it was very helpful and could he keep that copy as it listed all the problems i've been having with other area's of my body and also mentioned about my easy bruising and paper thin scars etc. He also said that my X ray didn't show anything but he could see by the bone sticking out that something was wrong and in his opinion it's either 1/ come loose many years ago and not reset properly or 2/ has now through wear and tear become arthritis.He is sending me for a ct scan and i have to go back in 4 weeks.

He asked if i would consider surgical options which i said yes to if its the best option as the pain is unbearable and also causes me problems with other parts of my body as my movement is restricted.

Has anyone had any surgery on sternoclavicular joint or know anything about it?

Thanks Chelseagirl

[madmum]

Not sure if this is the right area to ask but has anyone injured their sternum? My son had a heavy fall on sunday night and hit his chest. There has been no bruising or swelling but he is complaining of pain when sneezing,laughing,coughing and sometimes breathing. Chiropractor said he cold have a crack,nurse at gp not interested saying unlikely and not worth an xray as it is not treated anyway. Any advice welcome.

[chelseagirl]

Hey Madmum,

Sorry to hear about your sons fall.

I suffer from sternoclavicular dislocation which is the part of the collarbone connected to the sternum and through doing my own research via the internet its rare and only accounts for 3% of all shoulder injuries so that's why nobody seems to know much about this,even doctors keep passing me back and forth to orthopaedics and rheumatology.

In regards to your son ,It's all very well the nurse saying it's unlikely to be cracked/fractured but she is not the one suffering the pain. It could be that he has cracked it and if so then he will need to take it easy to ensure it heals properly.If he is suffering a lot of pain and especially when breathing then maybe you should see if an x- ray can be done just for reassurance if nothing more.

Hope your son feels better soon .

Take care Chelseagirl

[madmum]

Went to casualty as he was really struggling. They did not xray but said he has damaged the muscles and it will take 2-3 weeks to heal.

[chelseagirl]

I got my CT Scan results the other day and am feeling really down I have severe arthritis in the right sterno-clavicular joint but i also have it in the left but not as bad.
This is quite rare in the sterno-Clavicular joint as it only accounts for 3% of all shoulder injuries. My local hospital said surgery would be the best option if i can no longer put up with the pain as i have had problems for 18 years and it just gets worse as the years go by and causes problems with my neck shoulders and upper back as my movements are restricted. However they have never operated in this joint so are referring me to Kings Cross hospital in London but i was told that they dont like operating on this joint as all major organs are behind it and there is a higher chance of having complications with one of those. So am a bit scared but will see what the specialist says when my appointment comes through.