Differential Diagnosis for Right Shoulder and Sternoclavicular Pain
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Muscle Strain or Overuse Injury: Given the patient's recent history of playing pickle ball, a muscle strain or overuse injury is the most likely diagnosis. The limited movement in the right shoulder, redness over the sternoclavicular joint, and tender pain on palpation are consistent with this diagnosis.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Tendinitis: Inflammation of the tendons in the shoulder or sternoclavicular joint could be causing the patient's symptoms, especially if they have a history of repetitive motion or overuse.
- Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursae in the shoulder or sternoclavicular joint could also be causing the patient's symptoms, particularly if they have a history of trauma or repetitive motion.
- Costoclavicular Syndrome: Compression of the nerves and blood vessels between the clavicle and the first rib could be causing the patient's symptoms, especially if they have a history of trauma or repetitive motion.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Clavicle Fracture: A fracture of the clavicle could be causing the patient's symptoms, especially if they have a history of trauma. This diagnosis is critical to rule out, as a missed fracture could lead to complications such as nonunion or malunion.
- Sternoclavicular Joint Separation: A separation of the sternoclavicular joint could be causing the patient's symptoms, especially if they have a history of trauma. This diagnosis is critical to rule out, as a missed separation could lead to complications such as instability or arthritis.
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Compression of the nerves and blood vessels in the thoracic outlet could be causing the patient's symptoms, especially if they have a history of trauma or repetitive motion. This diagnosis is critical to rule out, as a missed diagnosis could lead to complications such as nerve damage or vascular compromise.
Rare Diagnoses
- Septic Arthritis: An infection of the joint could be causing the patient's symptoms, especially if they have a history of fever, chills, or recent infection. This diagnosis is rare but critical to rule out, as a missed diagnosis could lead to complications such as joint destruction or sepsis.
- Osteomyelitis: An infection of the bone could be causing the patient's symptoms, especially if they have a history of fever, chills, or recent infection. This diagnosis is rare but critical to rule out, as a missed diagnosis could lead to complications such as bone destruction or sepsis.
- Tumor or Cyst: A tumor or cyst in the shoulder or sternoclavicular joint could be causing the patient's symptoms, especially if they have a history of unexplained pain or swelling. This diagnosis is rare but critical to rule out, as a missed diagnosis could lead to complications such as tumor growth or metastasis.