Clavicle Soreness Differential Diagnosis
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Muscle strain: This is the most common cause of clavicle soreness, often resulting from overuse, direct trauma, or sudden contraction of the muscles attached to the clavicle.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Clavicle fracture: A fracture of the clavicle can cause significant soreness and is often due to a fall onto the shoulder or outstretched hand.
- Costoclavicular syndrome: This condition involves inflammation of the joint between the clavicle and the first rib, leading to soreness and stiffness.
- Tendinitis: Inflammation of the tendons surrounding the clavicle, such as the rotator cuff tendons, can cause clavicle soreness.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Osteomyelitis: Although rare, an infection of the bone can cause clavicle soreness and has serious consequences if left untreated.
- Metastatic disease: In rare cases, clavicle soreness can be a symptom of metastatic cancer, making it essential to consider this diagnosis, especially in patients with a history of cancer.
- Thoracic outlet syndrome: This condition involves compression of the nerves and blood vessels between the clavicle and first rib, which can cause soreness, numbness, and tingling.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Osteonecrosis: A rare condition where the bone tissue dies due to lack of blood supply, which can cause clavicle soreness.
- Ewing's sarcoma: A rare type of bone cancer that can cause clavicle soreness and swelling.
- Paget's disease: A rare condition characterized by abnormal bone growth, which can cause clavicle soreness and deformity.