Treatment of Sternoclavicular Joint Arthritis

Abstract

Sternoclavicular (SC) joint pathology may include a spectrum from instability to arthritis. SC joint arthritis may be secondary to repetitive use or may be post-traumatic in origin, and patients may present with pain, crepitus, and swelling. Nonsurgical treatment should be considered and may include activity modification, anti-inflammatories, physical therapy, and possible corticosteroid injection. Patients with persistent pain despite appropriate nonsurgical management may benefit from surgical treatment with resection arthroplasty. This chapter reviews our recommended evaluation as well as our preferred technique for surgical treatment of SC joint arthritis.