The prevalence of osteoarthritis of the sternoclavicular joint on computed tomography.

Background: Symptomatic disorders around the sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) are relatively uncommon. Previous cadaveric and radiographic studies have suggested that asymptomatic osteoarthritic changes are relatively common, progressively increasing with age. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of SCJ osteoarthritis in the general population using computed tomography (CT) scans.

Early versus delayed operative intervention in displaced clavicle fractures.

Objectives: Recent evidence to suggest that fixation of clavicle fractures yields better outcomes than conservative treatments has led to an increasing trend toward operative management. There is no evidence, however, to compare early fixation with delayed fixation for symptomatic patients before union.

Design: Prospective comparative case series.

The role of arthroscopy for the problem shoulder arthroplasty.

Between 1995 and 2000, 29 patients who had excessive pain or limitation of motion after a shoulder arthroplasty underwent arthroscopy. Preoperative diagnoses of impingement syndrome in 10 patients (treated by arthroscopic subacromial decompression), large rotator cuff tear in 1, loose bodies in 1, unstable cuff arthropathy in 1, and septic arthritis in another were confirmed at arthroscopy. Of the 15 patients without a preoperative diagnosis, 7 had postarthroplasty capsular fibrosis, with 6 undergoing arthroscopic capsular release.