What Causes Joints Pain?

Posted on Mon, 8 Dec 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 8 Dec 2014 Answered on

Mon, 29 Dec 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : My age is 59 years and I am a female. I have pain where sternochondral joint is . My doctor has asked me to get CT scan done contrast and without contrast of Menetriosternal joint? I could not find this name on the internet ? Is it the same joint or something else ?
How is this test done ?
what could this pain be due to ?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (38 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Both are different.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for your query.

I'm Dr. Sudhir Kumar,

After going through your query I concluded that you want to know something about sternum region pain which is described below.

The sternal angle is the anterior angle formed by the junction of the manubrium and the body of the sternum (the manubriosternal junction) in the form of a secondary cartilaginous joint (symphysis). This is also called the manubriosternal joint. The sternal angle is a palpable clinical landmark. It was not found on internet probably due to wrong spelling. You can now see on internet.

Sternochondral joints are many joints between costal cartilages(of ribs) and sternum.These are different from manubriosternal joint.

CT scan is done like x rays. Many x rays of different planes are converted to image by computerized program.

Pain can be due to some inflammation due to strain , degenerative arthritis or infection.
You can discuss with your treating Doctor about it.

Hope I have answered your query.
If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.
You can also write to me directly on below link:
https://www.bit.ly/askdrsudhirortho

Wishing you good health.
Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (2 days later)

Dear Dr XXXXXXX
Thanks for your very precise answer. I have had NECT &CECT Chest including Manubriosernal Joint done at Primus Super Speciality Hospital. I am giving here under the "Impression" in the study done-
1) few linear fibrotic opacities are seen in left basal segment.
2) minimal sclerosis in manubriosternal joint without any enhancing soft tissue/loculated collection.
I had experienced pain when struck by knuckle on the sternochondral area.
The following medicines are prescribed-
1) ACE- PROXYVON - 0--0 ( ACECLOFENAC PARACETEMOL & RABEPRAZOLE)
2)HILIN-GM 0--0 ( DIACERIN AND GLUCOSAMINE)
3) CHOLECALCIFEROL GRANULES - XXXXXXX ONCE EVERY WEEK FOR 3 MONTHS
4)NEWBONA ACTIVE ( CALCIUM, VITAMIN D3, METHYLCOLAMIN,L-METHYLFOLATE CACIUM &PYRIDOXAL 5- PHOSPHATE ) 0 EVERY DAY FOR 3 MONTHS
After starting this medication I am not feeling any pain now.
I would like to know the reason for the inflammation I had experienced prior to this medication. This had happened to me about 10 months earlier too but had subsided by application of pain balm.
You had cited three probable reasons -
1) Infection
2) Stress
3) Degenarative Artheritis
I am 59 years and doctor said that this could be the degenarative artheritis setting in due to ageing .
I would like to have your opinion too.
Thanks for your earlier response which was very accurate.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Likely to be degenerative arthritis

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back

After going through query and follow up query I concluded that you are having degenerative arthritis as you have minimal sclerosis in manubriosternal joint.

As there is no collection and soft tissue enhancement, so it is unlikely to be infection.

Your Doctor is right and you can follow his prescription.
Hope your query gets answered. If you have any clarification, then please don't hesitate to write to me. I will be happy to be helping you. If you have no further clarification then you can close the query and rate the answer.

Wishing you a good health

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (4 hours later)

Dear Dr. XXXXXXX
Thanks for your opinion. I would like to know if this condition is reversible or not ?
Also what can be done so that this condition does not worsen further.
Is it due to ageing or some deficiency in food . I am a vegetarian and eat lots of vegetables , less of carbohydrates and less of fats.
i would like to inform you that I was 98 kgs and had bariatric surgery for obesity done in March 2012 . I am now constant 64 kgs. Could this be an after effect of this surgery?
Sorry for putting so many questions to you and many thanks for such clear and detailed answers.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Its progression can be slowed.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back

After going through query and follow up query I concluded that you are having degenerative arthritis of manubriosternal joint. As it is related to aging it is not completely reversible but its prorogation is delayed by diacerine and some repair is done by glucasamine.These has been already prescribed by your doctor.

It is due to aging and not deficiencies however vitamin D deficiency may contribute to pain. Your Doctor also prescribed vitaminD( CHOLECALCIFEROL GRANULES).

It is unlikely an after effect of bariatric surgery. However this surgery can cause less absorption of nutrients including vitamin D.

Rest already discussed.
You can discuss with your treating Doctor about it.

Hope your query gets answered.
If you have any clarification then I will be happy to help you.
If you have no clarification then you can close the query and rate the answer.
You can also write to me directly on below link:
https://www.bit.ly/askdrsudhirortho

Wishing you a good health.
Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari