[Origin, diagnosis and treatment of sternoclavicular joint dislocation]

Traumatic dislocation of the sternoclavicular joint is very uncommon (1,5% of all dislocation, 10% of all dislocations in clavicular joints; ratio acromioclavicular dislocations: sternoclavicular dislocations = 5-10:1). The functional importance of this joint requires open reduction with reconstruction of its ruptured ligaments and the disc. The sternoclavicular joint can be dislocated in association with congential, developmental, degenerative and inflammatory processes (M. Friedrich, rheumatoid arthritis). Epiphyseal separations or fractures of the medial end of the clavicle can usually be treated conservatively, but interposition of the joint capsule between the fragments may cause the dislocation to be irreducible. In addition to clinical examination and anteroposterior of oblique posteroanterior X-rays, tomography, computed tomography and arthrography can be of help in diagnosis. Additional special X-ray pictures as suggested by Heinig, Hobbs and Kattan are very helpful in determining the degree of dislocation (Allman). If open reduction is necessary, the functional importance of the disc and the angle of inclination of the joint socket must be taken into consideration.