Sternum pain causes
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Common and Rare Causes of Sternum Pain
Sternum pain, or pain in the breastbone area, can have many causes. These range from common conditions like trauma and arthritis to rare developmental or metabolic issues. Understanding the possible sources is important for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Traumatic and Stress-Related Sternum Pain
Sternal Fractures and Stress Fractures
Trauma is a frequent cause of sternum pain, often resulting from direct impact, such as in car accidents or falls. Sternal fractures can also occur from repetitive stress or unusual physical activity, such as weightlifting or intense exercise, even in young and otherwise healthy individuals Son2021Davis2020. Stress fractures of the sternum are more likely in people with weakened bones due to conditions like osteoporosis, osteomalacia, or long-term steroid use. These fractures can be overlooked or misdiagnosed, especially if the pain is not linked to a clear injury Lin2006Cajiao2020Sarbay2018.
Spontaneous and Insufficiency Fractures
Rarely, sternum fractures can happen spontaneously, particularly in elderly patients or those with risk factors like osteoporosis or multiple myeloma. These fractures may occur without any obvious trauma and can be missed if imaging is not thorough Lin2006Cajiao2020Sarbay2018.
Non-Traumatic and Metabolic Causes
Developmental Abnormalities
Developmental issues, such as an unfused sternum (where the bone segments do not fully join during growth), can cause gradual onset of sternum pain. This is especially true for people who perform repetitive physical activities involving the upper body. Such cases are rare but should be considered, particularly when standard imaging does not reveal other causes .
Metabolic and Degenerative Disorders
Metabolic bone diseases, including osteoporosis, Paget’s disease, and renal osteodystrophy, can weaken the sternum and make it more susceptible to pain and fractures. Degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis can also affect the sternum and its joints, leading to pain Son2021Lin2006Cajiao2020.
Infections and Inflammatory Conditions
Infections of the sternum, such as osteomyelitis or septic arthritis, are less common but can cause significant pain. Inflammatory conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and other seronegative arthritides, may also involve the sternum and contribute to discomfort Son2021Lin2006.
Post-Surgical and Treatment-Related Causes
Pain in the sternum can also result from surgical procedures involving the chest, such as open-heart surgery (poststernotomy), or from complications like nonunion or dehiscence of the bone. Radiation therapy to the chest area can also lead to changes in the sternum that cause pain .
Conclusion
Sternum pain can arise from a variety of causes, including trauma, stress fractures, metabolic bone diseases, developmental abnormalities, infections, inflammatory conditions, and post-surgical changes. Accurate diagnosis often requires careful clinical evaluation and appropriate imaging, especially when the cause is not immediately obvious. Recognizing the wide range of potential sources is key to effective management and treatment of sternum pain Raessens2024Son2021Davis2020+3 MORE.
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