Publication:

Sternoclavicular instability - reconstruction of sternoclavicular ligament using semitendinosus autograft

Background Injury to the sternoclavicular joint is rare with an incidence of 3% of all the injuries around the shoulder girdle. Most of them heal with conservative treatment. Rarely some progress to chronic instability associated with pain.

Methods We present a small series of 4 such cases of chronic symptomatic sternoclavicular joint instability. We performed reconstruction of the sternoclavicular ligament using semitendinosus autograft, with excellent result, with minimum of 15 months follow up.

Results All the patients returned to pre injury level of activity at the end of 6 months. There was significant improvement in the DASH score following surgery. Our results are comparable with that of Castropil et al, who had performed a similar technique.

Conclusions Reconstruction of sternoclavicular ligament using the semitendinosus autograft is a safe, reproducible and functionally good surgical option in patients with chronic sternoclavicular instability.