Mark Kaboly | Tribune-Review
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Ben Roethlisberger suffered a sternoclavicular spain on his right shoulder — the same injury that forced Brett Favre to sit out a game in 2010 after 297 consecutive games played.
So what exactly is a SC sprain? According to medical web sites:
In laymen terms, it is when the collarbone popped in front/behind sternum. It is very, very painful. Swelling and tenderness in the front of the chest. The SC joint attaches the collarbone to the breastbone — in essence, the arm to the body — which means most upper-body motions are affected. The SC joint is one of the least commonly dislocated joints in the body. Car accidents cause nearly half of all SC dislocations. Sports injuries cause about 20 percent. Falls and other types of accidents cause the rest. If you don’t need surgery, you should start range-of-motion exercises as pain eases, followed by a program of strengthening. At first, exercises are done with the arm below shoulder level. The program advances to include strength exercises for the rotator cuff and shoulder blade muscles. The goal is to get your shoulder moving smoothly. Your physical or occupational therapist will give you tips on controlling your symptoms, which may include using tape to help hold the SC joint in place. You will probably progress to a home program within four to six weeks.
Tomlin said that Roethlisberger is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Ravens.
