Sternoclavicular dislocation: A plea for open treatment

Abstract

I report 12 cases of dislocation of the sternoclavicular joint. Eight cases were treated by closed reduction and redislocation occurred in five. The result was good in five out of these eight cases. Two cases with a redislocation and poor result were operated on: in one the sternoclavicular joint was successfully reconstructed with a palmaris longus tendon, and in the other the result was poor after medial resection of the clavicle. In four dislocations good results were obtained after primary open reduction, fixation with two Kirschner wires, and suture of the ruptured ligaments. Primary open reduction should probably be preferred in acute cases of sternoclavicular dislocation.