Sports Injuries of the Sternoclavicular Joint

Abstract

The sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) is the primary joint connecting the upper limb to the axial skeleton. It is a saddle-shaped diarthrodial joint comprised of a large clavicular head and a small fossa on the manubrium sterni. The SCJ plays a crucial role in facilitating a wide range of shoulder movements, allowing for clavicle rotation and abduction. Despite its relatively small size and limited bony locking, the SCJ requires robust ligaments to maintain stability and withstand substantial forces. Particularly in sports like football, martial arts, and soccer, direct and indirect traumas can easily lead to injuries in this joint. SCJ injuries are relatively common, and they often complicate other shoulder injuries. Because of the strength of its ligaments, dislocations of this joint are rare, accounting for less than 1% of all dislocations. However, posterior dislocations, although infrequent, can be life-threatening. In this chapter, we will provide a brief overview of the anatomy, patterns of injury, imaging techniques, and treatment options related to the SCJ. © 2025 Springer Nature Switzerland AG.