What Patients Should Know About Surgery for Sternoclavicular Instability

Patients should be told a few things before having surgery for a dislocated collarbone. This is the final conclusion of surgeons reviewing 24 cases of traumatic sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) instability. All patients had an anterior dislocation (forward displacement) of the clavicle (collar bone). As a result the SCJ was painful and unstable.

Research results haven't shown that surgery is the way to go with this type of injury. In this study patients were treated with SCJ reconstructive surgery. Patients were followed for over four years. Pain, activity level, and function were used as measures of success.

Most of the patients were pain-free and had a stable joint after the operation. In fact the test results showed 90 percent of the adults had normal values for test items. One thing should be noted though.

Most patients had to change the way they did things. This was especially true in the area of recreational or sports activities. For example, some patients said "no more water skiing," or "overhead throwing like baseball pitching." Others reported trouble sleeping and with overhead lifting.

The authors say patients should be told ahead of time that SCJ reconstruction will relieve pain and give a stable joint. The patient should not expect to get return of all function especially when it comes to sports activity.