Sternoclavicular septic arthritis is an unusual event in healthy patients. Cases have been reported in diabetes mellitus patients, intravenous drug abusers and patients affected by rheumatoid arthritis. We report a case of this unique infection that occurred in a patient who was not at risk of septic arthritis. Through this case and a review of the literature, we discuss the difficulty of diagnosing this disorder, and the consequences of delayed treatment in terms of life-threatening outcomes and therapeutic options.