Sternoclavicular Septic Arthritis: Partial Resection is Still an Option - A Case Report

Sternoclavicular Septic Arthritis and Surgical Intervention: A Case Report

Management of septic arthritis is an area of controversy, especially in rare locations like the sternoclavicular joints. In this case report, we present a case of septic sternoclavicular joint, which was resistant to medical treatment and deteriorated during the treatment course. Although medical treatment has proven effective based on previous literature, some cases will still not benefit from it. In this case, our patient responded significantly to surgical treatment regarding upper limb function, faster infection eradication and rehabilitation, and shorter hospitalization and antibiotics duration.

A Challenging Case of Managing Septic Arthritis of the Sternoclavicular Joint in a Patient With a History of Intravenous Opioid Use Disorder: A Case Report and Literature Review

Septic arthritis of the sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) is a rare condition with limited literature available. We present a case of a 31-year-old female patient with a history of opioid drug use who presented with septic arthritis of the left SCJ. The patient exhibited chest wall pain; imaging revealed septic arthritis with an associated retrosternal abscess. Treatment with antibiotics alone resulted in the resolution of the abscess, highlighting the potential for medical management without surgical intervention. This case report and literature review emphasizes the importance of considering septic arthritis in patients with vague chest pain, particularly those with a history of intravenous drug use, and raise awareness about the complications associated with opioid use.