Protrusion of the handle of the sternum occurs with congenital or acquired pathology of the chest. After a severe injury, the anterior bone is displaced and bulges outward. In congenital diseases, the defect is formed gradually. Improper structure of the musculoskeletal system leads to disruption of the functions of internal organs and is a difficult psychological aspect.
Structure of the manubrium of the sternum
The sternum is a flat spongy bone of an elongated shape, located in the frontal zone of the human chest. It consists of three separate fragments: the handle of the sternum, body, process. In childhood, parts of the sternum are connected by cartilage, which eventually hardens and acquires a bone-like structure.
The handle of the sternum is the upper part of the sternum. It has an irregular quadrangular shape and is the widest part of the bone. On the sides, she has special cutouts for fastening with the collarbone. A little lower are symmetrical recesses for connecting with the cartilages of the first ribs. The upper notch of the manubrium of the sternum is called the jugular. In people with an asthenic type of addition, the handle is easily palpablethrough the muscle layer.
The front bone is one of the important components of the chest corset. It protects the internal organs from mechanical stress and damage from bruises. One of the main areas of the chest contains bone marrow and is an organ of hematopoiesis. With injuries and congenital anomalies of the sternum, the following systems suffer:
- respiratory;
- musculoskeletal;
- cardiovascular.
Let's look at common reasons why the sternum bulges and hurts.
Keeped chest
When the structure of the bone corset is incorrect, the handle of the sternum protrudes. The causes of the disease are associated with a birth defect called "keeled chest". This malformation is more common in patients with structural features of the body: high growth, elongated limbs, lack of subcutaneous fat. The keeled deformity of the chest (KDHK) has received the apt name among the people - "the chest of the goiter pigeon." Clinical picture of the disease:
- protruding bone in the middle front of the chest;
- retraction of connective cartilage tissue;
- sunken slightly pronounced ribs.
Pathology is detected at the birth of a child, and with age, the symptoms only intensify. Patients experience shortness of breath and palpitations when walking, complain of fatigue. If the defect is not treated, then over time, a person’s lung capacity decreases and the supply of oxygen to the body decreases.
FDH treatment
To improve the general condition of the patient, the following activities are carried out:
- regular exercise;
- pressure on the keel (for teenagers);
- breathing exercises;
- wearing orthotics;
- physiotherapy exercises.
To completely eliminate the cosmetic defect, surgery will be required.
Barrel chest
With a barrel-shaped chest, the intercostal spaces increase, the chest frame moves forward and the handle of the sternum sticks out. Why does this deformation appear? There may be several answers:
- The most common cause of pathology is emphysema. There is an increase in the lungs and a displacement of the costal arches. The disease occurs against the background of chronic bronchitis, tuberculosis and smoking, accompanied by bouts of coughing and shortness of breath.
- Osteoarthritis is a joint disease in which cartilage wears out. If arthritis affects the anterior ribs, then the sternum moves forward.
- Bronchial asthma. As a result of chronic inflammation of the lungs, the upper part of the inert frame expands and loses the correct anatomical proportions.
- Cystic fibrosis. A genetic disease causes the accumulation of mucus in organs, including the lungs. Often pathology leads to the appearance of a barrel-shaped chest.
To reduce the deformity of the sternum, the underlying disease is treated first.
Fracturesternum
After a car accident, blunt force or a fall, a fracture often occurs between the handle and the body of the sternum. In severe cases, with an injury, the handle of the sternum protrudes, the structure of the bones is disturbed. The victim experiences unbearable pain, aggravated by taking a deep breath.
A hematoma with edema is formed in the area of the fracture. With a significant displacement of the sternum in some patients, bone fragments are palpated during palpation. Damage to internal organs is also possible: lungs, heart, pleura. With untimely medical care, complications occur - the accumulation of air and blood in the chest cavity. To diagnose a fracture, complex measures are carried out: computed tomography and radiography.
Treatment
Patients are given an oral or intramuscular course of painkillers. A novocaine blockade is placed in the injured area. For accelerated fusion of the sternum, a reposition is made, in which the bone fragments are correctly compared. In case of a displaced fracture, the handle of the sternum is fixed in the desired position with special screws.
After a month, the sternum is completely fused. In the future, it is recommended to carry out rehabilitation measures:
- massage;
- water aerobics;
- breathing exercises;
- swimming;
- posture exercises.
After an injury, the chest is pulled with a medical elastic band or bandage. To prevent the risk of cracking at the site of injury, excessivephysical activity.
Bruising of the manubrium of the sternum
If the handle of the sternum hurts when bruised, do the following:
- Provide bed rest to the victim.
- To reduce the pain of the injury, a tight bandage is applied to the chest and secured to the he althy side.
- Ice is applied to the handle of the sternum, this procedure will reduce bleeding and swelling.
- For severe pain, painkillers are taken ("Nise", "Spazgan", "Baralgin").
- On the third day after the bruise, they proceed to the treatment of hematoma - they make warm compresses.
If the pain in the handle of the sternum does not go away within a week, you need to contact a specialist. The doctor will conduct a medical examination and, based on the results, prescribe treatment procedures, such as electrophoresis. The medical measure consists in the impact of direct electric current on the injured place. Positive effects of treatment:
- puffiness decreases;
- muscle tone relaxes;
- tissue regeneration accelerates;
- increases the body's defenses;
- improves microcirculation;
- pain syndrome is eliminated.
In case of serious damage to blood vessels, treatment is carried out surgically. If after a week the tumor has not resolved, then stagnation of blood in the sternum is suspected. The doctor makes a puncture in the injured area, and excess fluid comes out.
Folk remedies for bruises
With a slight bruisethe handle of the sternum can use traditional methods of treatment:
- Horseradish root is rubbed on a fine grater and a compress is applied to the injured area. This treatment is good for pain relief, but should not be used for the first two days after an injury.
- For resorption of a hematoma, vinegar (9%) is mixed with honey and applied as a bandage on the sternum.
- A cilantro remedy has a good analgesic effect. For 1 liter of boiling water, take 50 g of fruit and leave for 15 minutes. Strain and take warm, 2-3 cups a day.
- Chopped parsley is used for dressings. Crushed leaves are applied to the sternum and secured with a bandage.
If a person slips on the ice, then the fall can injure the ribs, sternum, handle. The body with such bruises aches and hurts for a very long time. To reduce suffering, it is recommended to apply a circular elastic bandage. When pulling, the mobility of the sternum is limited, and it is easier for a person to endure pain.
Diseases of internal organs
When pressing on the handle of the sternum, pain may appear, radiating to other parts of the chest. The causes of the pathology are degenerative changes in the joints, disorders in the cardiovascular, digestive and respiratory systems.
- If, when pressing the handle, discomfort occurs in the process of the sternum, then this may indicate diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
- With pulling pains in the handle of the sternum, lasting longerweeks, suggest aortic aneurysm.
- If, when pressing on the bone corset, a burning sensation is felt, and the pain passes to the left shoulder or shoulder blade, then this is a clear sign of hidden angina.
- Often pain in the sternum is caused by pathological processes in the respiratory organs: sarcoidosis, bronchitis, tuberculosis, pneumonia. Associated symptoms are weakness, severe cough, sweating.
Pathologies in which the handle of the sternum sticks out and hurts, can be quite serious. Therefore, if you feel discomfort when pressed and notice external changes in the sternum, then seek the advice of a specialist.
