emDocs - July 30, 2020 - By Barbour K and Grenga P
Reviewed by: Chavez S; Koyfman A and Long B
"The sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) is an exceptionally stable and rarely dislocated synovial saddle joint required for nearly all shoulder movements It is the only articulation of the shoulder with the axial skeleton. Its strength comes almost entirely from its robust ligamentous attachments, as the manubrium articulates with little of the medial clavicle. Dislocation requires rupture of all these attachments. When dislocated, the medial end of the clavicle can migrate anteriorly or posteriorly, with anterior dislocation far more common. The epiphyseal plate of the medial clavicle is the last ossification center in the body to fuse, doing so as late as the 3rd decade of life. As such, it is easy to misdiagnose younger patients with a Salter I or II medial clavicle fracture-dislocation as a sternoclavicular dislocation. Unlike posterior SCJ dislocations, physeal fracture-dislocations are less likely to require surgery and have a better prognosis..."