The sternoclavicular joint helps move the shoulder.
Without the sternoclavicular (SC) joint, your arms and shoulder bones would not be attached to your skeleton. The SC joint allows shoulder movement by connecting the collarbone (clavicle) to the chest bone (sternum). It is rare to have serious SC joint issues, according to the Internet Society for Orthopaedic Surgery and Trauma, but it is possible to have pain and swelling from several causes.
Injuries
The most common cause of injuries to the SC joint are caused by car accidents, according to the Internet Society of Orthopaedic Surgery and Trauma. It takes quite a force to injure this area. Football or other sports injuries, bad falls and accidents that cause an indirect force to the area are to blame.
Joint Development
The sternoclavicular joint takes a long time to form completely. Until the age of 25, it is still developing. Younger adults or athletes may fracture or dislocate the SC joint, according to "Oxford Textbook of Sports Medicine." Additionally, they may have a cartilage injury. They will also heal without as much intervention.
Swelling
It is possible to have swelling in the SC joint area, especially if you have degenerative disc disease or osteoarthritis. These conditions cause inflammation. A sprain or infecton could also inflame the area. For younger athletes, a growth plate injury might have associated swelling.
Pain
Dislocation, ligament damage and sprains to the SC joint will all cause pain. A dislocation is likely the most painful, especially from a major accident. A dislocation in which the collar bone breaks and pushes toward internal organs like the heart can be very serious and requires a complete examination.
Sternoclavicular Syndrome
There are many conditions referred to as "sternoclavicular syndrome" (SAPHO or arthro-osteitis) that involve chronic inflammation. This can lead to shoulder, neck, chest and arm pain. Sometimes rashes or skin lesions exist in these cases. The cause or symptoms are not completely understood, according to the "British Journal of Rheumatology."
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