Sternoclavicular joint involvement in ankylosing spondylitis

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Orthopedics
• Anatomy

Background:

• Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease primarily affecting the axial skeleton.
• Sternoclavicular (SC) joint involvement is an uncommon manifestation of AS.
• Referred pain syndromes can complicate the diagnosis of musculoskeletal conditions.

Observation:

• Two patients with AS presented with referred pain syndromes.
• The sternoclavicular joint was implicated in both cases.
• Diagnosis was delayed due to the atypical presentation of referred pain.

Findings:

• The study reviews the anatomy of the sternoclavicular joint.
• Salient features of sternoclavicular joint involvement in AS are discussed.
• Referred pain is a key diagnostic challenge in these cases.

Implications:

• Increased awareness of SC joint involvement in AS is crucial for timely diagnosis.
• Understanding referred pain patterns can aid clinicians in diagnosing AS.
• This review highlights the importance of considering peripheral joint involvement in AS.