Atraumatic spontaneous posterior subluxation of the sternoclavicular joint

We report a case of atraumatic spontaneous posterior subluxation of the sternoclavicular joint in a 19-year-old woman without any known underlying pathology. There was no history of injury. The patient was treated operatively using the gracilis tendon to reinforce the anterior sternoclavicular ligament. One year later the patient is asymptomatic and has returned to her usual life. Received: 20 September 1997     

Pseudo-dislocation of the sternoclavicular joint

Fractures of the medial third of the clavicle are the rarest of all clavicle fractures. We present two cases of medial clavicle fracture nonunions that were initially thought to be chronic anterior sternoclavicular dislocations and describe the entity of pseudo-dislocation of the sternoclavicular joint. Computed tomography should be performed on all patients with suspected or established injuries of the sternoclavicular region to ensure differentiation between fracture and dislocation.     

Disorders of the sternoclavicular joint

The sternoclavicular joint is vulnerable to the same disease processes as other synovial joints, the most common of which are instability from injury, osteoarthritis, infection and rheumatoid disease. Patients may also present with other conditions, which are unique to the joint, or are manifestations of a systemic disease process. The surgeon should be aware of these possibilities when assessing a patient with a painful, swollen sternoclavicular joint.     

Dislocations of the sternoclavicular joint

The effects of the anterior and posterior sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) soft tissue structures on joint dislocation strength by sequential sectioning the ligaments and capsule of twenty-eight SCJs were evaluated. The medial clavicle of each specimen was initially loaded in the anterior and posterior directions to provide control values for joint laxity. The anterior or posterior ligaments and capsular structures of the SCJs were then selectively cut and the specimens retested for laxity and then loaded to failure simulating either anterior or posterior dislocation. Testing of intact specimens showed that the posterior ligaments were stiffer than other structures in that it was significantly more difficult to posteriorly displace the SCJ than in any other direction and that the capsule was the important anterior structure affecting joint laxity. Load-to-failure testing showed that it required 50% more force to create a failure by posterior dislocation than by anterior dislocation. The results of this study explain the clinical rarity of posterior sternoclavicular joint dislocations.     

Luxations in the sternoclavicular joint

Primary open reduction and fixation with Kirschner wires and/or fascia lata or PDS is recommended in the treatment of acute traumatic luxations of the sternoclavicular joint. If not bent or secured against migration, K-wires may be the reason for lethal postoperative complications. We report on 7 own patients with luxation of the sternoclavicular joint and discuss the problems in diagnosis, operative and postoperative treatment of this rare lesion.     

Traumatic injuries of the sternoclavicular joint

Traumatic injuries of the sternoclavicular joint occur rarely and are mainly caused by an indirect trauma mechanism with high kinetic energy. Anterior dislocation is much more common than posterior dislocation, which may be associated with life-threatening injuries. The CT scan is the diagnostic tool of choice for accurate assessment of the injury and coexisting pathologies. The primary goal in anterior and posterior dislocations is an early closed reduction. In cases of redislocation after closed reduction of an anterior dislocation we recommend primary joint reconstruction on the basis of an individual therapeutic concept. Posterior dislocations often cannot be reduced by closed means. Then open reconstruction and stabilization are performed. Chronic instabilities should only be addressed surgically in cases of persistent pain and/or functional deficit. Resection of the medial clavicula represents an effective treatment option in post-traumatic sternoclavicular joint arthritis provided that the costoclavicular ligaments are intact or will be reconstructed during surgery. Physeal injuries of the medial clavicle can occur until an approximate age of 25. Closed reduction of dislocated physeal injuries is attempted. After reposition non-operative treatment in general leads to a good functional outcome. Posteriorly dislocated physeal injuries often cannot be reduced by closed means. In these cases good function can be expected after open stabilization.     

Bilateral sternoclavicular joint tuberculosis

A unique case of bilateral sternoclavicular tuberculosis is presented, with discussion of the possible mechanism of infection. Early diagnosis is mandatory for good results, and with a world-wide resurgence of this disease, a high index of suspicion is mandatory (especially in immunocompromised patients and migrant populations). Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are helpful for defining the exact extent of the disease. Received: 18 June 1998     

Spontaneous sternoclavicular joint infections

Spontaneous sternoclavicular (SC) joint infections are uncommon. Most cases of contained SC joint infections respond well to conservative treatment measures such as intravenous antibiotics and local drainage. However, some cases are more extensive, extending beyond the boundaries of the joint capsule, occasionally involving the anterior chest wall and mediastinum. We report our experience with 3 patients with spontaneous advanced SC joint infections. Radical surgical treatment seemed to provide the best control of this infection.     

锁骨钩钢板在胸锁关节脱位治疗中的应用

目的:探讨应用锁骨钩钢板治疗胸锁关节脱位的方法及疗效。方法:2010年1月至2014年3月,采用锁骨钩钢板固定治疗胸锁关节脱位患者6例,其中男5例,女1例;年龄26～48岁,平均34岁;病程3～20 d.患者均为外伤后患侧胸锁关节肿胀、疼痛,患侧肩关节活动明显受限,经X线片及CT诊断为胸锁关节前脱位,根据Rockwood评分法对术后疗效进行评价。结果:所有患者术后切口愈合良好,外观美观;X线片显示胸锁关节脱位复位良好,钢板位置良好。6例患者均获随访,时间4～18个月,平均12个月。根据Rockwood评分法进行疗效评定:优4 例,良 1 例,可 1 例,未见内固定失效及再脱位,无血管、神经及胸膜等副损伤。结论:锁骨钩钢板能在复位固定胸锁关节的同时保留胸锁关节微动功能,且不损伤胸锁关节软骨面。手术安全性高,固定效果好,患者术后可进行早期康复锻炼。     

Management of sternoclavicular joint infections

Surgically managed infections of the sternoclavicular joint have rarely been reported, but general and thoracic surgeons may be consulted to manage such infections. Patients who have demonstrated resistance to antibiotic therapy or have infection extending beyond the joint capsule are best managed by surgical resection.     

Inveterate dislocation fracture of the sternoclavicular joint

We present the case report of a 21-year-old man with a late diagnosis of retrosternal dislocation of the sternoclavicular joint with a fractured sternal end of the clavicle. The first symptom leading to the diagnosis was dysphagia associated with physical activity. The diagnosis was based on computed tomography examination. In the first place, the fragment of the medial clavicular end was fixed with two screws. During surgery the sternoclavicular joint was wrongly identified; this fact was revealed by the following radiographic examination. On revision surgery, the sternoclaviculr ligament was reconstructed using a semitendinosus tendon graft. The reconstructed ligament was augmented with two Orthocord sutures running between the clavicle and the first rib. At 2 years after surgery the functional outcome and sternoclavicular joint stability were excellent.     

Internal derangement of the sternoclavicular joint.

Indirect injuries to the sternoclavicular joint can result in an internal derangement. The major injury is to the intra-articular disk. The condition is generally caused by indirect injury to the shoulder, and causes tenderness, mild swelling and a clicking sensation over the joint. An arthrogram may well prove helpful in diagnosis. The lesion is treated by simple disk excision.     

胸锁关节的CT研究

目的 了解正常胸锁关节、锁骨胸骨端和胸骨柄在CT图像上的径线长度,确定由内固定物向胸骨柄钻孔的安全角度和长度.方法 对50名健康志愿者的胸锁关节进行CT扫描成像,成像角度包括矢状面、冠状面和横断面.测量锁骨近端的高度与前后径、锁切迹的长度与前后径、锁切迹与胸骨的成角、胸骨柄与身体长轴的成角、胸骨柄的厚度、胸锁关节间隙大小以及锁骨间距.并确定由内固定物向胸骨柄钻孔的安全角度和长度结果左、右侧的各项测量指标比较,差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).冠状面上胸骨柄锁切迹的长度和锁骨内侧端的长度接近,差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).横断面上锁切迹的前后径比锁骨内侧端的前后径短,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).胸骨后方重要组织中,头臂干、左右头臂静脉贴近胸骨柄的后缘,术中应以安全角度(α＞46°β＜-49°)进钻,或将进钻深度控制在安全深度(2.38±0.61)cm以内.结论 本研究明确了 CT图像上正常胸锁关节的特征,并定量描述了胸骨柄与其后方重要组织的伴行关系,对胸锁关节脱位的诊断与治疗提供了参考.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate anatomical features of the sternoclavicular joint on computed tomography (CT) scans to determine the safe angle and length of drilling into the manubrium sterni for implants. Methods CT scans were taken in 50 healthy human volunteers.Reconstructive images on coronal,sagittal and transverse planes of the sternoclavicular region,from the superior border of the clavicle to the sternal angle,were obtained.Measurements were conducted on the images to determine the height and the anteroposterior dimension of the proximal end of the clavicle,the length and the anteroposterior dimension of the clavicular notch,the angle between the clavicular notch and the sternum,the angle between the manubrium sterni and the trunk,thickness of the manubrium sterni and the distance between the bilateral clavicles.The safe angle and length of drilling into the manubrium sterni for implants were determined.Results There were no significant differences between the above left and right measurements (P＞ 0.05).There were no significant differences in length between the clavicular notch and the internal extremity of clavicle on the coronal image (P＞0.05).The anternposterior dimension of the clavicular notch was significantly shorter than that of the internal extremity of clavicle on the cross section ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Of the tissues behind the sternum,the anonyma and the bilateral innominate veins were the nearest to the manubrium sterni.The safe angle and length of drilling into the manubrium sterni for implants were α ＞ 46° or β ＜-49° and 2.38 ± 0.61 cm respectively. Conclusion This investigation provides specific and quantitative CT data of the sternoclavicular joint which may help clitical diagnosis and treatment of the sternoclavicular dislocation.     

Recurrent dislocation of the sternoclavicular joint]

Author reports on three cases of recurrent non-traumatic dislocation of the sternoclavicular joint. The operation performed by them and the indication of the operation are described. He thinks it probable that this phenomenon develops frequently as a part of a general joint laxity.