Functional Disability Associated With Proximal Clavicle Resection and Pectoralis Flap Transposition for Sternoclavicular Joint Infections.

Background: Sternoclavicular joint infections (SCJI) are increasing with the opioid crisis and increased intravenous drug abuse (IVDA). Proximal clavicle resection with subsequent pectoralis muscle transposition is part of the treatment of such infections, but the long-term effects on shoulder function are not clear.

Methods: This report presents a consecutive series of 15 cases of SCJI treated with proximal clavicle resection and pectoralis muscle flap coverage. Patient-reported outcomes were recorded using the Shoulder Disability Questionnaire (SDQ) developed by van der Heijden et al.

Results: The average age of patients was 50 years (range, 23-73 years), with nearly half being male (7/15). Of these patients, 3 were lost to follow-up, 1 was excluded due to subsequent shoulder surgery for an unrelated problem, and another was excluded due to subsequent medical issues that precluded a reliable history. Recurrence was noted in 1 patient with ongoing IVDA. Average length of follow-up was 12 months (range, 8-19 months). The long-term shoulder disability was minimal (mean score of 6 ± 9). Among patients with IVDA, however, the long-term shoulder disability was significantly higher (mean score of 33 ± 16, P < .05).

Conclusions: In cases where the SCJI was attributed to IVDA, the long-term shoulder disability score was significantly higher, despite resolution of infection. Possible explanations include the self-reporting nature of the SDQ and the well-documented issues with chronic pain in patients with opioid dependency.  Of the patients lost to follow-up, 2 of 3 had infections attributed to IVDA, highlighting the difficulty of meaningful follow-up in this vulnerable patient population.