Collarbone Pain

Last Tuesday I ended up climbing a bunch of short-but-intense hills during my bike ride. I climbed out of the saddle, as my front derailleur has trouble shifting onto the smallest chainring when I try to shift under load. (That's another issue for another forum. :rolleyes: )

Anyhoo, I felt nice and strong at the time, had no difficulty climbing out of the saddle, etc., but by that evening I could barely lift my left arm. The pain seems to originate (and is the most severe) where the collarbone meets the sternum, then radiates out toward the shoulder, and back toward the trapezius muscle. It's worse in the mornings, and seems to loosen up as the day goes on. Certain movements are extremely painful (using my left arm to reach over and apply deodorant to my right armpit, for example).

Any idea what this could be? Could I have strained something in there as I pulled on the handlebars while climbing? I tried icing it, but that hasn't done much for the pain.

Thoughts?

Surfing the internet has led me to this self-diagnosis: sternoclavicular sprain.

It's been a week and a half, and no relief from the pain. Might have to go see the dr. about it... :(

Sorry I didn't see this sooner. I had similar pain and FINALLY had it diagnosed correctly by a pt. It was actually nerve compression, likely caused by bad bike fit. The pain originated at the collarbone area and radiated out toward my shoulder and down my arm. It worsened if I would nod my head downward. Not saying yours is exactly the same, but it could be a similar nerve thing rather than muscular/ligament thing. Whatever it is, best to get it diagnosed by a professional so that you can get on the road to recovery asap! Good luck to you! :)

Interesting. I'm inclined to think mine is a muscular or ligament thing because it started immediately after an afternoon of aggressive hill-climbing, but who knows...?

I've been icing it every day, and it's maaaaaybe starting to feel a bit better. But if the pain still there next Tuesday, it's off to the dr. for me (that would be two full weeks since it began).

I had a sterniclavicluar dislocation last year(had a crash & that was one of the injuries) but all i could do was rest it. It took a long time for the area to feel "right"again.

One thing that bugs the area is holding my shoulder area too tight. I try and relax as much as I can when riding or swimming and rely on my core muscles but I do forget some days :o

Have you thought about doing some one on one personal training?

I happened to find a pilates studio a few years ago (that I still venture to weekly) that gives me specific exercises for swimming, cycling etc...It's helped heaps!

Hope all heals well :)