Ben Roethlisberger Has Sternoclavicular Joint Sprain; Could Return Next Week
By Josh Sanchez
During his Tuesday press conference, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin shed some light on the mystery that was surrounding Ben Roethlisberger’s injured throwing shoulder.
Per Tomlin, Roethlisberger has a sprained sternoclavicular (SC) joint sprain. For those unfamiliar with shoulder injuries, a sprain is the same as a separation. The SC joint is the point where your collar bone meets the sternum. It’s a very uncommon injury.
Tomlin was then asked if the Steelers would try to get ready for the Ravens game and he was having none of that question. “I don’t care about the opponent, they’re nameless gray faces to me…I’m not gonna change our protocol based on who we’re playing,” Tomlin said.
SC joint injuries can be treated with or without surgery. The surgical option is more uncommon. As for a timetable for Roethlisberger’s return, the Steelers have yet to give one but a quick search will tell you that recovery time of an SC joint injury varies depending on the severity of the sprain.
"Over time, symptoms typically will resolve. The exact healing time varies with the severity of the injury (mild sprain, subluxation or dislocation), which arm was injured (dominant versus nondominant), and type of sport and position played. Surgical treatment requires a period of convalescence to permit tissue healing."
The team is still waiting for the results of a second MRI that was conducted today so it is possible that Tomlin was just being vague because he does not yet have all of the details.
While the Steelers are being coy, there are some reports that Roethlisberger will return next week.
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This injury news is still developing so stay tuned for the latest on Roethlisberger’s injured throwing shoulder.