Pain and swelling of the xiphoid process | The xiphoid process

Pain and swelling of the xiphoid process

The diagnosis of a sternal swelling is usually made by a pressure test. Therapy is carried out with painkillers, which can also be injected directly into the spinal cord in cases of severe pain. Other treatment options for pain relief include acupuncture, physiotherapy and muscle-relaxing medication.

Heat or cold therapy can also help.

  • The sword process can become swollen as a result of surgical interventions with a thoracic opening. Also a physical overload occasionally leads to a sword process swelling or a sternum swelling.

    This is caused by micro fractures of the bones.

  • In the case of pain in the area of the breastbone, one should also think of a heart attack, angina pectoris and other organs such as the esophagus.
  • The swelling is visible from the outside with a reddening in the area of the breast and ribs. A sternal swelling is mainly characterized by pain when breathing in and out and an increased pulse rate. Those affected speak of a “burning pain” in the area of the chest as well as a feeling of heat.

    Middle-aged people are often affected, although the symptoms become more severe with increasing age. However, swelling of the sternum can also occur in children.

  • If there is a fracture of the sternum, this is therefore always an indication of other injuries.
  • Pain in the area of the sternum can also be projections from other organs. For example, angina pectoris, a heart attack or diseases of the esophagus cause pain behind the sternum.

    But the pain of a stomach ulcer can also spread to the sternum.

  • Another cause is the so-called costochondritis, in which the cartilage between ribs and sternum is inflamed. Costochondritis is rather rare and usually occurs in the course of systemic diseases (for example Reiter’s disease).
  • Some babies have a congenital hole in the sternum, which is usually on the right side.
  • Among the pathological changes of the sternum is also the so-called funnel chest.In this case, the cartilage connections between ribs and sternum change and the front part of the ribcage sinks in.
  • Another deformation is the keel or chicken breast. Here, the sternum is arched in a keel shape, which is psychologically stressful for those affected. The cause is suspected to be a strong growth of cartilage, which causes a protrusion of the sternum.
  • If the sternum is twisted in the longitudinal axis, this is called a Harrenstein deformity. The ribs protrude from the sternum on one side, but are lowered on the other side.