To analyze the clinical effect of suture anchor technique in the treatment of traumatic dislocation of the clavicular joint.

The clinical data of 43 patients with complete dislocation of the sternoclavicular joint admitted to Zhejiang Xin'an International Hospital from January 2015 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were treated by open reduction and fixation using the suture anchor technique, including 27 males and 16 females. The patients ranged in age from 21 to 55 years, with an average age of 33.2 years. There were 29 right clavicular joint dislocations and 14 left clavicular joint. Thirty one cases were due to traffic accidents and 12 cases due to high falling injuries. All patients had fresh dislocation, seven cases had multiple rib fractures, and one case had splenic rupture and severe hemopneumothorax. Emergency splenectomy and closed thoracic drainage were performed first, followed by thoracoplasty. Sternoclavicular joint dislocation was then treated by open reduction and suture anchor fixation. Thirty-three cases belonged to grade Ⅲ, whose manifestations included complete rupture of the sternoclavicular ligament and costoclavicular ligament, destruction of the articular capsule and dislocation of the clavicular end. All patients were treated with 2-10 d, with an average of 5.5 d. After operation, the reduction of the sternoclavicular joint was observed by X-ray and CT, and shoulder joint function was evaluated by Rockwood score.

The patients were followed for 12-22 months with an average of 12.5 months. The appearance was improved without local eminence or swelling. The Rockwood scoring system was used to evaluate postoperative joint function, with excellent results achieved in 32 cases, good in 9 cases, and fair in 1 case. No complications such as infection, loosening of internal fixation, re-dislocation of the joint and removal of the internal fixator by a second operation were found in all cases.

The treatment of sternoclavicular joint dislocation by suture anchor technique is reliable and effective. Dynamic fixation conforms to the physiological characteristics of fretting joint. It does not need a second operation to remove the internal fixator but achieve good clinical effects and satisfaction.