Degenerative Changes of the Human Sternoclavicular Joint Disc, Comparable with Osteoarthrotic Articular Cartilage

-A Histopathological Study-

Abstract

Aim: The sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) articulates the upper limbs and the trunk is thought to deeply participate with the movement of the upper limbs. The SCJ has an articular disc which provides function as a spheroid joint. The purpose of this study was to investigate the SCJ disc histopathologically. Materials and Methods: Human SCJ discs obtained from autopsy cases without arthro-skeletal diseases, were investigated histopathologically, using a light microscope. Results: We observed the findings of tear, myxoid degeneration and chondrocyte cloning in the SCJ discs. Almost all discs showed surface avulsion like hangnails. Conclusions: The histopathological findings of the SCJ discs in this study correspond approximately with the reports of menisci. The avulsion like hangnails may indicate a distinctive style of fibrillation of the SCJ disc.