The sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) can cause pain locally, or refer into the neck and shoulder. With a relatively high incidence of serious and potentially life-threatening pathology at the SCJ, it’s important to diagnose the source of SCJ pain. In this (Facebook live/video/podcast) with Jo Gibson (Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist), you’ll discover:

• How to identify and diagnose the SCJ as the source of pain.
• Where does the SCJ commonly refer pain to?
• What pathologies cause SCJ pain
• What activities & movements commonly reproduce pain in the SCJ?
• Who develops SCJ pain?
• Which differential diagnosis (DDx) are important to identify, including
  • localised osteoarthritis (OA)
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • septic arthritis
  • atraumatic subluxation
  • seronegative spondyloarthropathies
  • gout, pseudogout
  • SC hyperostosis
  • condensing osteitis
  • Friedrich’s disease/avascular necrosis
  • condensing arthritis
  • Friedrich’s disease and
  • ‘SAPHO’ (Synovitis Acne Pustulosis Hyperostosis Osteitis) syndrome
• How does DDx impact prognosis?
• What role does imaging have with the SCJ?
• SCJ Imaging - MRI vs CT vs Xray.
• If pain refers down to the anterior chest, what other structures may be involved?
• Tietze syndrome at the costochondral junction.
• Costochondritis - who develops it, is there a mechanism of injury?
• Red flags you need to be aware of around the SCJ
• Case study of an SCJ patient where a potentially life-threatening illness was identified.
• Other red flags - infection, HIV, septic arthritis, diabetes, ankylosing spondylitis, gout.
• What investigations are important for SCJ pain patients?
• What are realistic expectations for prognosis and resolution of SCJ symptoms?
• How can you rehab patients with SCJ pain?
• Costochondral joint pain.
• Rehab following clavicular ORIF
• When is arthroscopic release suitable in frozen shoulder patients

Podcast handout

Free video series “Frozen shoulder assessment & treatment” with Jo Gibson

Shoulder: Steps to Success online course with Jo Gibson

Improve your assessment and treatment of shoulder pain with the Shoulder: Steps to Success online course with Jo Gibson, now available for enrolment at clinicaledge.co/shouldersuccess

Links associated with this episode:

• Get your access to the free video series “Frozen shoulder assessment & treatment” with Jo Gibson
• Improve your shoulder assessment & treatment with the Shoulder: Steps to Success online course with Jo Gibson
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