What is the xiphoid process of the sternum, where is this part of the skeleton, and what pathological phenomena are associated with it? You will find the answers to all the questions 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 unpleasant sensations 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 protrudes and hurts.
What is it like?
The xiphoid process is the distal part of the sternum. Initially, it is cartilaginous, and after some time it bones. 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 appendix is completely fused with the sternum at the age of 30.
Why does it hurt?
Not everyone knows why the xiphoid process of the sternum can hurt. However, experts argue that such a pathological condition most often acts as a sign of a wide variety of diseases affecting the internal organs, which are located in close proximity to the sternum. They may be:
- stomach;
- heart;
- gall bladder.
Disease symptoms
If the xiphoid process of the sternum hurts due to diseases of any internal organs, then unpleasant sensations will appear not only during pressure, but also due to physical (even insignificant) stresses on the body, as well as after eating.
Other reasons
If the xiphoid process of the sternum is constantly painful, then the syndrome of costal glomerular cartilage may well serve as the reason for this. As a rule, this pathological condition occurs due to severe injuries. At the same time, a person experiences pain in the sternum, which gradually subsides and manifests itself exclusively during pressure. It should be noted that such discomforts are dumb.
Often, getting rid of severe pains, the patient believes that the disease went away on its own, and he no longer needs qualified help. However, the syndrome of costal glomerular cartilage can quite easily lead to inflammatory reactions in the xiphoid process.
Gastrointestinal diseases
There are also such cases when discomfort in the xiphoid process is the result 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 related symptoms such as vomiting or nausea, heartburn, lack of appetite, etc.
Why does the xiphoid process of the sternum protrude?
As you know, such a lower segment of the sternum has one or more holes that are closed from the inside with a dense fibrous plate. If it is absent due to acquired or congenital causes, then preperitoneal fiber or peritoneum begins to pass through this cavity. That is why some people may observe that their xiphoid process of the sternum protrudes.
Sternal process hernia
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 and appear after severe injury. In any case, such patients should definitely seek the help of an experienced specialist.
Hernia symptoms
Among the main symptoms of such a deviation, pain syndrome is distinguished. But besides him, there are the following signs:
- hernial gates are compressed and become stiff;
- the process increases and a hernial protrusion appears;
- on palpation, the contents of the hernial sac are felt;
- when the hernia is repositioned, the tight edges of its gates can be felt.
All of these signs should necessarily prompt the patient to the idea of the presence of a hernia of the process of the sternum. However, such a diagnosis should be made only by a doctor after his personal examination.
By the way, if the xiphoid process of the sternum has increased, then an x-ray study is also being carried out to clarify the disease.
Treatment
Before getting 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 consult a doctor and undergo a medical examination.
Thus, if the cause of pain was any disease of the internal organs, then it should be treated. For this, patients can be prescribed complex drug therapy, as well as a sparing diet.
If the protrusion and pain in the area of the xiphoid process occurred as a result of a hernia, then most likely the doctor will recommend surgical intervention. 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 were also such cases when the hernia of the sternum process was disguised as peptic ulcer, heart disease, angina pectoris and even gastritis.
How is the operation performed?
Surgery of the sternum process hernia is very simple. A specialist in the classical technique processes a hernial sac, suturing the entire area of its gates. Organs that have fallen into the openings can be 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, special nippers are sometimes used. With the help of such actions, a specialist can immediately see a complete picture of the deviation and determine the nature of the hernia. If the patient has a hernia gate, then they are treated, and then all the tissues in the sternum area are sutured in layers.