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Case Reports
. 2023 May 4;15(5):e38557.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.38557. eCollection 2023 May.

Snapping Sternoclavicular Joint

Paul V Romeo  1 , Aidan G Papalia  1 , Neil Gambhir  1 , Stuart T Styles  2 , Mandeep S Virk  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Snapping Sternoclavicular Joint

Paul V Romeo et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Snapping sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) is a rare presentation in the SCJ. We present a case report detailing the presentation and treatment of unilateral snapping SCJ in a 14-year-old male patient. Clinical findings included the subluxation of the medial end of the clavicle in the anterior-posterior direction following a specific maneuver by the patient that involved repetitive external rotation with the arm in horizontal abduction. Dynamic ultrasound demonstrated an asymmetric widening of the right sternoclavicular joint in the neutral position with a pronounced subluxation in provocative positioning. At 3.5-year follow-up, he continued to remain pain-free without static deformity of the SCJ. Snapping SCJ is a benign phenomenon that does not require any intervention and is not associated with ligament laxity.

Keywords: clavicular pathology; diarthrodial joint; snapping sternoclavicular joint; sternoclavicular; sternoclavicular joint.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Anteriorly Subluxed Right Sternoclavicular Joint
A: subluxed right sternoclavicular joint
Figure 2
Figure 2. X-Ray: Anterior-Posterior View
Red circle: right sternoclavicular joint
Figure 3
Figure 3. X-Ray: Anterior-Posterior View, 40 Degrees Cephalad
Red circle: right sternoclavicular joint
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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