title: Diagnostic value of active protraction and retraction for sternoclavicular joint pain.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) arthropathy is an uncommon cause of mechanical pain. The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic value of two active clinical tests for localizing the sternoclavicular joint as the source of mechanical pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients between June 2011 and October 2013 that visited the orthopedic departments of three hospitals with atraumatic pain in the area of the SC joint were evaluated. Local swelling, pain at palpation, pain during arm elevation and two newly described tests (pain during active scapular protraction and retraction) were evaluated. CT images were evaluated. The patients were then divided into two groups according to whether they had a ≥50% decrease in pain following the SCJ injection. Sensitivity and specificity for local swelling, the four clinical tests and CT-scan were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty eight patients were included in this study and SC joint pain was confirmed in 44. The tests with highest sensitivity were pain on palpation, (93% sensitivity) and pain during active scapular protraction (86%). CT-scan showed a sensitivity of 84%. Local swelling showed a high specificity (100%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pain at the SCJ during active scapular protraction is a good clinical diagnostic tool for SC arthropathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Gent, Belgium. Alexander.vantongel@uzgent.be.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Van Tongel
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karelse
authors.forename: Bart
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Berghs
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Van Isacker
authors.forename: Lieven
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Wilde
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D013247:Sternoclavicular Joint / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult