The human sternum consists of many bones, one of the smallest of which is the xiphoid process. Ailments related to the xiphoid process, such as chest pain or its thickening, may indicate various disease states. What are the causes of ailments related to the xiphoid process and what is the treatment of them?
The xiphoid(Latin Processus xiphoideus) is the smallest and at the same time the lowest bone of the sternum. It marks the lower edge of the sternum and is approximately at the height of the 9th thoracic vertebra. It is palpable in the so-called the fovea as a protruding tubercle.
The xiphoid process is an attachment site for many muscles, including the diaphragm, a muscle necessary for breathing, so it is a movable part of the sternum. In addition, the rectus abdominis muscles are anchored in it.
An interesting fact is that the shape of the xiphoid process can be hereditary and take various shapes, e.g. be bifurcated. It is by no means associated with any disease symptoms.
It is worth knowing that during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, too much pressure on the xiphoid process during cardiac massage may damage it and injure surrounding organs such as the liver or diaphragm.
Xiphoid - symptoms
The location of the xiphoid process causes that it is easily injured. Xiphoid injuries often affect people who practice strength sports such as weight lifting. Diseases and injuries of the xiphoid process can cause symptoms such as:
- feeling of heaviness and tightness in the chest
- xiphoid enlargement
- pain in the xiphoid area during certain activities
- pain during the grip of the xiphoid process itself
- pain in the whole chest
- back pain
Xiphoid - diseases
If you feel pain in the area of the xiphoid process or its thickening, it may indicate, among others. to:
- osteitis or xiphoid periostitis
- xiphoid tumor
- Tietze syndrome
Bone or periostitis is the most common appendicitisxiphoid and, apart from pain, may be manifested by its thickening and reddening of the skin. Inflammation is usually the result of very hard physical work or weightlifting.
Treatment consists of the use of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. A thickening within the xiphoid process may indicate its deformation, e.g. as a result of previous injuries, but also a tumor of the xiphoid process, which may be a consequence of inflammation.
If deformities put pressure on nearby organs, make the patient's daily functioning difficult or are simply unsightly, the doctor may order xiphoid surgery.
Xiphoid - causes of pain
A rare disease called Tietze syndrome can also cause pain in the xiphoid process. It is a mild, inflammatory disease that affects the sternocostal joints, sternoclavicular joints, or the joints between the cartilaginous and bone parts of the ribs. Tietze's syndrome mainly affects people over 40 and is a consequence of chest injuries, too much physical exertion or respiratory tract infections.
In addition, pain in the xiphoid area may be confused with another common descent, which is angina. It is characterized by severe pain around the xiphoid process or throughout the chest.
However, it has nothing to do with xiphoid diseases, because it is caused by the atherosclerotic process in the blood vessels, and chest pain and shortness of breath result from hypoxia.
In order to determine the exact cause of the xiphoid pain, you should consult a specialist doctor who will order appropriate tests (e.g. X-ray, ultrasound), on the basis of which he will diagnose and implement treatment.
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