Osteoarthritis of the Sternoclavicular joint

Primary osteoarthritis of the sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) is relatively co mmon, occurring in 90% of people over age 60, and must be considered in the differential of chest wall pain. Lesions typically appear after age 40 yea rs and are either bilateral or slightly more common in the SCJ of the domin ant hand. Diagnosis by plain x-rays is confounded by overlapping structures ; therefore SCJ osteoarthritis is most easily diagnosed by classic radiogra phic findings on computed tomography of the sternoclavicular joint. Treatme nt consists of rest, physical therapy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug s, or local corticosteroid injection, with surgery for those with intractab le pain.