Sternum discomfort...please answer?!


Question: Sternum discomfort...please answer?
I've had discomfort and pain right on top of my sternum for about 7 months now. Some days will be worse than others. The discomfort does not radiate anywhere and also is no tender to touch. When its only discomfort it feels tight like something is pushing on my sternum and the days that it's pain it feels like a sharp pain right on my sternum. I can feel the discomfort/pain when I take deep breaths in, cross my arms, reach for something, make my chest in a hollow position or in a stretched position....in other words a lot of movements.

I know it isn't muscular since it never goes away and it is only felt on my sternum, and is not tender to touch at all.

What could be causing this? I am frustrated and would like to know why I am experiencing this.

Answers:

Dreamgymnast,
The first item that comes to mind is the Sternoclavicular (SC) joint, this is the anatomical structure that connects the sternum or breastbone to the collarbone (clavicle). Accidental trauma to this joint can cause mild to serious pain to the sternum, based on the severity of the injury. Dislocation of the SC joint, either anterior or posterior, may cause severe sternal pain. Also, continuing with the collar bone – or clavicle, which is located at the top portion of the chest (thorax), in between the sternum and the scapula (or shoulder blade). Collarbone fractures and injuries are quite common, which may occur at birth, during falls or accidents. Sternal pain may result because of collarbone injury. An injury or inflammation to the rib cartilage (costochondritis) is one of the most common reasons associated with sternum pain. Even though, not many of us are aware about costochondritis, thousands of people seek medical attention every year for treatment of this medical condition. In majority of the cases, costochondritis due to inflammation and/or swelling of the cartilage that connects the ribs to the sternum, results in sternum pain. Another rare cause of pain in the sternum is fracture, which can be caused due to physical trauma. Injury to the sternum is possible, only when a hard object hits the sternum directly with a force. However, if a sternal fracture occurs, then it is usually a comminuted case, in which the sternum breaks into pieces. From your description, this is unlikely in this case. Other possible causes of sternal pain are overstraining of the muscles in the sternal portion, over-exercise, - (if your “name” of ‘dreamgymnast’ has any bearing on the possibility of accidental stress to that area, that may be the cause) - injured ribs, breast cancer and bone cancer. That just about covers the main possibilities and you would be advised to obtain a medical examination because having this discomfort for seven months with no improvement indicates that medical intervention is now necessary.


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Hope this helps
matador 89




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