Chronic Posterior Sternoclavicular Dislocation in a Contact Athlete: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Sports medicine
• Trauma care

Background:

• Posterior sternoclavicular dislocation (PSCD) is a rare injury.
• Diagnosis can be delayed, and standard treatment involves reduction or reconstruction.
• Initial symptoms may include dyspnea and dysphagia.

Observation:

• A 16-year-old male football player sustained a traumatic PSCD.
• He presented with acute symptoms of dyspnea and dysphagia.
• He returned to playing contact sports without undergoing reduction surgery.

Findings:

• This case demonstrates that non-operative management may allow return to contact sports in athletes with chronic PSCD.
• The patient successfully returned to competitive play despite the dislocation.

Implications:

• Findings challenge the necessity of reduction for all PSCD cases in athletes.
• Suggests a potential pathway for conservative management in specific athletic populations.
• Highlights the importance of individualized treatment plans for traumatic dislocations.