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Sternoclavicular Joint Injury, Sports Medicine

Douglas Comeau, DO, CAQSM, FAAFP and Angelene M. Elliott, DO Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

  • The sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) is a saddle-type joint that participates in all movements of the upper extremity.

  • The SCJ provides free movement of the clavicle in nearly all planes.

  • The joint i...

DIAGNOSIS

  • Elicit mechanism of injury, time from injury, and initial symptoms.

  • Respiratory, neurologic, and vascular assessments mandatory

  • Appropriate analgesia for patient comfort

HISTORY

  • Mechanism of inj...

TREATMENT

Pediatric Considerations
  • During childhood, the medial physeal growth plate of the clavicle provides 80% of longitudinal bone growth.

  • Fractures in the medial clavicle have tremendous capability...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

  • Patients with sprains should initially restrict activity, and depending on the amount of pain or discomfort, a sling can be used for immobilizat...

REFERENCES

1
Boesmueller S, Wech M, Tiefenboeck TM, et al. Incidence, characteristics, and long-term follow-up of sternoclavicular injuries: an epidemiologic analysis of 92 cases. J Trauma Acute Care S...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Bicos J, Nicholson GP. Treatment and results of sternoclavicular joint injuries. Clin Sports Med.  2003;22(2):359–370.

  • Cope R. Dislocations of the sternoclavicular joint. Skelet...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • SCJ injuries are graded (I, II, III) based on severity of tearing of associated ligaments.

  • Dislocations are usually from trauma (direct blows/falls). Anterior dislocation is most common...

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