Sternoclavicular joint

Cause, clinical and ultrasound findings

• Sternoclavicular joint problems can be either traumatic or as a result of overuse in a degenerative shoulder.

• Clinically, it presents with pain. Resisted tests are usually strong and painless. Pain is usually point specific to the sternoclavicular joint, but it can radiate to the neck.

• Ultrasound findings include a thickened and bulging joint capsule, osteophytic lipping and cortical irregularities of the sternal and clavicular ends of the joint. Occasionally, neovascularity of the joint capsule is found with colour/power Doppler.

• Pain is present on dynamic assessment at the site of the probe.