Sternoclavicular Joint Swelling, Tingling Sensation In Arm. History Of Polyarteritis. Required Treatment?

Posted on Sat, 9 Feb 2013

Question: Hi XXXXXXX here. for good 18mo i noticed a small swelling of my right sterno clavicle. it is now noticably enlarged, i get a lot of tingling down my arm, the ac joint aches especially when i raise arm above my head. however, 2 nights ago I experienced SOB, and started to wonder about whether this growth is compressing the vital pulmonary blood vessels? I did have this checked out by CT scan one year ago. findings then were general degeneration and lots of tiny bone cysts. i have made an appt with my GP for next week. i have hx of polyarthritis since childhood, especially right hip, knee & joints and have had 3 surgeries to correct ; this feels different. I get tingling, my right arm feels cold and weaker, and dull pain in chest and shoulder and recent SOB??

Answered by Dr. Nisarga (4 hours later)

Hi XXXXXXX

As a cardiovascular specialist I will try to give some salvation to your query.

Since you have polyarthritis, it is common that it can involve any joint including sternoclavicular joint.
It is enlarging in size, but CT scan was taken long back. A new CT scan will tell whether this is a component of your generalized poly arthritis.

Pain during the shoulder joint movement can be caused by the degenerative cyst in the sternoclavicular joint, because clavicle is associated with shoulder joint.

It is very rare and unusual for such a swelling to compress on the pulmonary vessels. Pulmonary vessels have no relation to sternoclavicular joint. It is not at all a compressive symptom. Tingling and other sensations in the limb can be caused by the present lesion, but not shortness of breath.

An orthopaedic surgeon will evaluate better for the bony swelling using a CT scan. Don't panic regarding compression of pulmonary vessels which can not happen.

Hope you are satisfied with my answer. Let me know if you need any further clarifications.
Good day!
Wish you a speedy recovery.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Mohammed Kappan

Follow up: Dr. Nisarga (8 hours later)

Thank you. Oops, i forgot inform you;i had rhuematic fever as a child, and about 10yr ago a cardiologist diagnosed an intermediate incompotent mitral valve. Q: would the SOB and tingling & weakness down my right arm be related to increased cardoivascular disease, and what's my likely prognosis?

Answered by Dr. Nisarga (7 hours later)

Hi XXXXXXX

Well, SOB can be caused by a leaky valve. You had moderate amount of mitral regurgitation. Possibly that would have increased in severity. If you are not getting any acute rheumatic fever activity (chest pain, sore throat, multiple joint pain), and if you are on regular Inj. Penidure prophylaxis, it is unlikely that the leak has worsened.

Only 2 D echocardiogram will confirm the severity of mitral regurgitation. I do not see any association between tingling, weakness and rheumatic fever.

If it is moderate leak, prognosis is good; you have to be on regular follow up once in six months.

All the best!

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E