Chest Pain After Partial Dislocation

[bob2sea]

I partially dislocated my shoudler about 6 weeks ago playing rugby. It didnt fully leave the socket but was pushed to the limit before it clicked back in. My shoulder now is not too bad but does ache from time to time. I will be starting some low weight strenth exercise soon to make this stronger. The main issue I have is in the middle of my chest. If I push between my pecs, there is still pain and is quite sore. I also feel a slight twinge when twisting from side to side. My Pecs either side are not sore, just the patch in the middle. I have also noticed that there is now an occasional 'click' when I push this area or rotate my shoudler and put stress on the area.

Can anyone explain what this is likely to be and what exercise I can do (if any) to eleviate this pain?

[Heidi]

Hi,

This may be pain from the sternoclavicular joint, which is where your clavicle (collar bone) meets your sternum (breast bone). The shoulder injury may have also injured the ligaments at this joint as the clavicle may have moved at the shoulder end which would translate movement throughout and down to the chest end.

Obviously this is just a suggestion, but have a look here:

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/chest/sternoclavicular.htm

Did you see anyone following the initial injury? If not then I think you really should to get this checked.

[bob2sea]

I went and saw a Physio but she was reluctant to start rehab until I had a scan on my shoulder to see if there was any bone damamge. I went to the Dr's to arrange a scan and he said it was pointless as I had only strained the muscle and I should just leave it 6 weeks. 6 weeks is now up and my shoulder is better but now my chest is still causing lots of problems.

[Heidi]

In that case I would gop back to the Dr and explain the chest pain. This may convince him to send you for some form of scan.