Dislocation of the manubriosternal joint: the role of the second chondrosternal joint, and stabilisation by surgical fusion.

A case of chronic dislocation of the manubriosternal joint (MSJ) is presented. There was no history of spinal trauma, thoracic kyphosis or rheumatic joint disease. The patient had had an excision of an abnormal second chondrosternal joint before the MSJ dislocation became evident. After a failure to fix the joint by plating and wiring, fusion was achieved by the use of artificial bone graft and a polymethylmethacrylate implant. Pathological factors leading to this condition are reviewed.