Overview
Congenitally short costocoracoid ligament is an extremely rare condition present from birth in which the costocoracoid ligament — a band of tissue that connects the rib cage to the coracoid process of the shoulder blade — is abnormally short. This shortened ligament restricts normal movement of the shoulder and can pull the shoulder forward and downward into an abnormal position. The condition falls under the broader category of congenital musculoskeletal anomalies. Because this condition is so rare, very little has been published about it in the medical literature. Affected individuals may notice limited range of motion in the shoulder, an unusual posture of the shoulder girdle, and possibly discomfort or pain with certain arm movements. The shortened ligament can affect how the chest wall and shoulder work together during everyday activities like reaching overhead or lifting objects. Treatment is generally supportive and may include physical therapy to maximize shoulder mobility and strengthen surrounding muscles. In some cases, surgical release or lengthening of the ligament may be considered if the restriction is severe and significantly impacts daily function. Because so few cases have been described, management is typically individualized based on the severity of symptoms and functional limitations. Early evaluation by an orthopedic specialist and a clinical geneticist is recommended to guide care.
Key symptoms:
Limited shoulder movementAbnormal shoulder postureShoulder pulled forward or downwardDifficulty raising the arm overheadChest wall asymmetryShoulder pain or discomfort with movementRestricted arm range of motionTightness in the front of the chest and shoulder area
Neonatal
Begins at or shortly after birth (first 4 weeks)
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Congenitally short costocoracoid ligament.
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Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for Congenitally short costocoracoid ligament.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Congenitally short costocoracoid ligament.
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Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How severe is the shortening of the ligament, and how much does it limit my child's shoulder function?,Is physical therapy likely to be enough, or will surgery be needed?,Are there any other conditions we should test for to make sure this is the correct diagnosis?,What activities should my child avoid, and what exercises can help?,How often should we have follow-up appointments to monitor progress?,Could this condition be inherited, and should other family members be evaluated?,Are there any specialists or centers with experience treating this specific condition?
Common questions about Congenitally short costocoracoid ligament
What is Congenitally short costocoracoid ligament?
Congenitally short costocoracoid ligament is an extremely rare condition present from birth in which the costocoracoid ligament — a band of tissue that connects the rib cage to the coracoid process of the shoulder blade — is abnormally short. This shortened ligament restricts normal movement of the shoulder and can pull the shoulder forward and downward into an abnormal position. The condition falls under the broader category of congenital musculoskeletal anomalies. Because this condition is so rare, very little has been published about it in the medical literature. Affected individuals may n
At what age does Congenitally short costocoracoid ligament typically begin?
Typical onset of Congenitally short costocoracoid ligament is neonatal. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.