What is the xiphoid process of the sternum, where is this part of the skeleton located, and what pathological phenomena are associated with it? You will find answers to all the questions posed in the materials of this article.
General information
The human body is a very fragile and complex system. Absolutely all its elements are interconnected and are in close interaction. Having experienced discomfort in any part of the body, people often begin to get lost and cannot understand what caused them. So, let's figure it out together what to do if the xiphoid process of the sternum bulges and hurts.
What is it?
The xiphoid process is the distal part of the sternum. Initially, it is cartilaginous, and after some time it becomes ossified. As you know, this happens by the age of 20. It should be especially noted that the xiphoid process of the sternum does not connect to the ribs. The size and shape of this part of the skeleton in different people can vary significantly. By the way, the process is completely fused with the sternum upon reaching the age of 30.
Why does it hurt?
Not everyone knows for what reasons the xiphoid process of the sternum can hurt. However, experts say that such a pathological condition is most often a sign of a wide variety of diseases that affect the internal organs that are in close proximity to the sternum. They can be:
- stomach;
- heart;
- gall bladder.
Symptoms of diseases
If the xiphoid process of the sternum hurts due to diseases of any internal organs, then discomfort will appear not only during pressure, but also due to physical (even minor) stress on the body, as well as after eating.
Other reasons
If the xiphoid process of the sternum constantly hurts, then the cause of this may well be the costal sliding cartilage syndrome. As a rule, such a pathological condition occurs due to severe injuries. In this case, a person experiences pain in the sternum, which gradually subsides and manifests itself exclusively during pressure. It should be noted that such discomfort is dull in nature.
Often, having got rid of severe pain, the patient believes that the disease has passed by itself, and he no longer needs qualified help. However, costal sliding cartilage syndrome can quite easily lead to inflammatory reactions in the xiphoid process.
Diseases of the digestive tract
There are also cases when discomfort in the areaxiphoid process is a consequence of any deviations of the digestive tract. For example, this is how a stomach ulcer can manifest itself. In this regard, it is recommended to pay attention not only to pain, but also to such accompanying symptoms as vomiting or nausea, heartburn, lack of appetite, etc.
Why does the xiphoid process of the sternum stick out?
As you know, such a lower segment of the sternum has one or more holes, which are closed from the inside by a dense fibrous plate. If it is absent due to acquired or congenital causes, then preperitoneal tissue or peritoneum begins to pass through this cavity. This is why some people may see their xiphoid process sticking out.
Hernia of the process of the sternum
As mentioned above, such a pathological condition as a hernia of the process of the sternum is quite common. This deviation can be both hereditary in nature and appear after severe injury. In any case, such patients should definitely seek help from an experienced specialist.
Hernia symptoms
Among the main symptoms of such a deviation, pain is distinguished. But besides it, there are the following signs:
- the hernial orifice becomes thicker and hard;
- the process increases and a hernial protrusion appears;
- palpation feels the contents of the hernial sac;
- when the hernia is reduced, the dense edges of her gate can be felt.
All of the above signs should definitely lead the patient to the idea of having a hernia of the process of the sternum. However, such a diagnosis should only be made by a doctor after his personal examination.
By the way, if the xiphoid process of the sternum has increased, then an X-ray examination is also carried out to clarify the disease.
Treatment
Before you get rid of discomfort in the area of the xiphoid process, you should find out the cause of the pain or protrusion of this part of the sternum. To do this, you need to see a doctor and undergo a medical examination.
Thus, if the cause of pain is any disease of the internal organs, then you should start treating it. For this, patients can be prescribed complex drug therapy, as well as a sparing diet.
If the protrusion and pain in the xiphoid process are the result of a hernia, then most likely the doctor will recommend surgery. But before the operation, it is extremely important to make a differential diagnosis, which will distinguish the presented deviation from diseases with similar symptoms. After all, there have been cases when a hernia of the process of the sternum was disguised as peptic ulcers, heart disease, angina pectoris and even gastritis.
How is the operation performed?
Surgery for a herniated process of the sternum is very simple. A specialist in the classical technique processes the hernial sac, suturing the entireher gate area. Organs trapped inside the hole are resected.
Thus, during surgery, an incision of 6-9 centimeters is made. In this case, it is very important for the doctor to disconnect the chest from the xiphoid process. For this procedure, sometimes special wire cutters are used. With the help of such actions, the specialist can immediately see a complete picture of the deviation and determine the nature of the hernia. If the patient has a hernial orifice, then they are treated, and then all tissues in the sternum area are sutured in layers.
