II. Epidemiology
- Uncommon injury
III. Mechanism
- High impact direct blow to chest (e.g. MVA)
- Results in posterior Sternoclavicular Dislocation
- Fall onto lateral Shoulder with compression
- Causes either anterior or posterior Sternoclavicular Dislocation
IV. Types: Sternoclavicular Dislocation
- Anterior Dislocation (More common)
- Routine oupatient management
- May occasionally occur spontaneously without Trauma
- Older adult presents with painless sternal mass
- Affects sternal end of clavicle
- Posterior Dislocation (rare)
- Requires emergent Consultation for reduction
- High risk for underlying structure (Great Vessel, trachea, esophagus) injury (30% of cases)
- Leads to Dyspnea and vascular compression
V. Differential Diagnosis
-
Epiphyseal Fracture in child
- Non-surgical management as with SC Dislocation
VI. Findings: Symptoms and Signs
- Anterior Sternoclavicular Dislocation
- Tender, visible prominence at sternoclavicular Joint
- Sternoclavicular pain with any Shoulder Range of Motion
- Posterior Sternoclavicular Dislocation
- May be occult injury or divit seen at SC joint
- Underlying mediastinal injury may present in various ways
- Dyspnea or hoarse voice (tracheal injury)
- Neurologic or vascular deficits (Great Vessel injury)
- Dysphagia (esophageal injury)
VII. Imaging
- Anterior Sternoclavicular Dislocation
- Sternoclavicular XRay
- SC Joint difficult to visualize on XRay
- View angled upward including uninjured side helpful
- Sternoclavicular joint MRI may be necessary
- Physeal Fracture of medial clavicle may also occur and may be occult
- Clavicle physis is last in the body to fuse (age 23-25 years)
- Physeal Fracture of medial clavicle may also occur and may be occult
- Sternoclavicular XRay
- Posterior Sternoclavicular Dislocation
- Chest XRay is often normal
- Serendipity View XRay (oblique view of SC)
- Patient lies supine on bed
- Xray angled 40 degrees toward manubrium
- Allows for visualization of both sternoclavicular joints
- Dislocated clavicle appears inferior compared with the unaffected side
- CT Chest with contrast (or MRI)
- Definitive and preferred imaging modality
- Bedside Ultrasound (linear probe)
- Measure distance between clavicle and Sternum (and compare to unaffected side)
- Bengtzen (2017) J Emerg Med 52(4): 532-5 +PMID:28087089 [PubMed]
VIII. Management: Anterior Sternoclavicular Dislocation
IX. Management: Posterior Sternoclavicular Dislocation
- Emergent Consultation
- Orthopedics
- Cardiothoracic surgery
- Emergent reduction technique
- Indicated for pulseless extremity and orthopedics not immediately available
- Perform under Procedural Sedation
- Patient supine with towel roll between Scapulae
- Extend and abduct the affected arm while another provider applies counter-traction
- May also attempt to concurrently pull medial clavicle anteriorly
X. References
- Jhun and Roepke in Herbert (2015) EM:Rap 15(11): 10-11
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| Concepts | Injury or Poisoning (T037) |
| ICD10 | S43.2 |
| SnomedCT | 263009006 |
| English | Disloc sternoclav joint, dislocation of sternoclavicular joint, dislocation of sternoclavicular joint (physical finding), dislocation of sternoclavicular joint (diagnosis), sternoclavicular joint dislocation, Dislocation of sternoclavicular joint, Dislocation of sternoclavicular joint (disorder), dislocation; sternoclavicular, sternoclavicular; dislocation |
| German | Luxation des Sternoklavikulargelenkes |
| Korean | 복장빗장관절의 탈구 |
| Dutch | luxatie; sternoclaviculair, sternoclaviculair; luxatie, Luxatie van sternoclaviculair gewricht |
| Spanish | luxación de articulación esternoclavicular (trastorno), luxación de articulación esternoclavicular |
