The Surgical Treatment of Pyogenic and Tubercular Infection in the Sternoclavicular Joint: Case Report

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Here we report clinical results for surgical treatment of 2 cases of pyogenic arthritis and 1 case of tubercular arthritis, which only rarely develops in the sternoclavicular joint. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From September 2003 to September 2008, we did early marginal resection and thorough debridement of osteomyelitis of the sternum and distal clavicle in 3 patients and evaluated clinical results after short-term follow up. RESULTS: All 3 patients were satisfied with their clinical results and none had any recurrences according to follow up X-rays and laboratory datas. The follow up MRI showed bone edema in the distal clavicle and proximal sternum and a little fluid retention around the sternoclavicular joint. CONCLUSION: Even though diagnosis of these diseases are made earlier, infection of the adjacent bone and osteomyelitis could already have developed. We did early marginal resection and thorough debridement of osteomyelitis of the sternum and distal clavicle and achieved satisfactory results.