SC dislocation: Mechanism of injury and treatment of a sternoclavicular dislocation

I created the Active Life Orthopedics Guides to help the people I can't see in my practice — practical guidance on recovering from orthopedic injuries and conditions — from a triple-board certified orthopedic surgeon — so you can get back to the active life you love. New titles releasing throughout 2026. 📚 Explore the series: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Dr.-Dav... A sternoclavicular dislocation is an uncommon but painful shoulder injury of the sternoclavicular joint that can occur in contact and collision sports. Watch this video to learn more about an SC joint injury and the treatment of a sternoclavicular dislocation. http://challenge.drdavidgeier.com/ds/... I want to help you! Please click the link above and take a few seconds to share the biggest challenge or struggle you’re facing with your injury! https://www.drdavidgeier.com/injury-t... Click the link above for more information about a sternoclavicular dislocation and other resources for your sports or exercise injury. Get The Serious Injury Checklist FREE! How can you know if your injury should get better in a few days or if it's more serious? This checklist can help you plan your next step to recover quickly and safely. http://www.sportsmedicinesimplified.com Please note: I don't respond to questions and requests for specific medical advice left in the comments to my videos. I receive too many to keep up (several hundred per week), and legally I can't offer specific medical advice to people who aren't my patients (see below). If you want to ask a question about a specific injury you have, leave it in the comments below, and I might answer it in an upcoming Ask Dr. Geier video. If you need more detailed information on your injury, go to my Resources page: https://www.drdavidgeier.com/resources/ The content of this YouTube Channel,    / drdavidgeier   (“Channel”) is for INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. The Channel may offer health, fitness, nutritional and other such information, but such information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. This content should not be used to self-diagnose or self-treat any health, medical, or physical condition. The content does not and is not intended to convey medical advice and does not constitute the practice of medicine. YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON THIS INFORMATION AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR, NOR DOES IT REPLACE, PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT. You should consult with your healthcare professional before doing anything contained on this Channel. You agree that Dr. Geier is not responsible for any actions or inaction on your part based on the information that is presented on the Channel. Dr. David Geier Enterprises, LLC makes no representations about the accuracy or suitability of the content. USE OF THE CONTENT IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. MECHANISM OF INJURY The athlete is injured with a direct blow, either to the chest or shoulder. Depending on the direction of the force, a blow to the shoulder can cause an anterior or posterior sternoclavicular dislocation. TYPES OF STERNOCLAVICULAR DISLOCATIONS An anterior dislocation of this joint involves the clavicle popping out in front of the sternum. A posterior dislocation involves the clavicle displacing behind the sternum. TREATMENT OF THE STERNOCLAVICULAR DISLOCATION While both types of dislocations are very serious, a posterior dislocation can be a surgical emergency, as the end of the clavicle becomes extremely close to the airway and large blood vessels of the heart and chest. An anterior dislocation usually leaves only a cosmetic deformity. Little long-term functional deficit exists after the athlete has recovered. A posterior dislocation, on the other hand, needs urgent reduction, either in the emergency room or the operating room. The clavicle needs to be reduced back into place with the sternum to prevent the clavicle from causing injury to the blood vessels and airway nearby.