Dislocation of the sternoclavicular joint. Evaluation using paraxial computed tomographic reconstruction.

Sternoclavicular dislocations are relatively infrequent, constituting less than 1% of somatic dislocations. Despite the fact that the sternoclavicular joint is the only articulation between the upper extremity and the axial skeleton, it possesses the least amount of osseous stability of any joint in the body. Sternoclavicular dislocations are generally divided into anterior and posterior disruptions, the former being the most common. An unusual case of an anterior dislocation of the sternoclavicular joint with a large superior component is described. It was found that coronal paraxial computed tomographic reconstruction of the joint was quite useful in evaluating this injury.