Sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) injuries, incurred frequently through physical activity and sports, pose significant challenges due to the joint's biomechanical complexity and susceptibility to dislocation. In athletic populations, forceful impact and overuse can lead to both anterior and posterior dislocations—the latter being particularly severe given its potential to compress vital structures in the mediastinum. While anterior dislocations are predominant and generally less severe, both types of injuries require prompt and effective management to prevent long-term disability. Traditionally, these injuries have been managed with closed reduction, but this approach often fails to maintain long-term stability, necessitating further innovation in treatment strategies.
This Research Topic aims to assess and optimize the management of SCJ dislocations resulting from physical activities. Special attention is needed to balance immediate intervention with strategies that promote long-term joint stability and function, particularly considering the high demands athletes place on their bodies. The focus is on enhancing surgical and conservative treatment modalities to reduce recurrence and accelerate return to activity without compromising joint integrity.
To gather further insights in the field of sports-related SCJ dislocations, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
o Case studies and treatment outcomes of SCJ injuries in athletes
o Advances in surgical techniques specific to sports-induced SCJ dislocations
o Long-term rehabilitation protocols and their effectiveness in restoring full function
o Prevention strategies and athlete education to minimize risks of SCJ injuries
o Evaluations of non-surgical treatments and their role in managing minor dislocations
The collection of articles on these themes aims to fill the gap in literature concerning SCJ injuries from physical activities, highlighting both challenges and advancements in treatment that are critical for athletic healthcare providers and patients alike.
Keywords: Sternoclavicular joint, dislocation, surgery, ligaments reconstruction, open reduction and internal fixation, medial clavicle fracture
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
