Handle of the sternum: structure, signs of pathology and treatment

The protrusion of the sternum arises from congenital or acquired chest pathology. After a serious injury, the front bone is displaced and bulges outward. With congenital diseases, the defect is formed gradually. The incorrect structure of the musculoskeletal system leads to a disruption of the functions of internal organs and is a serious psychological aspect.

Structure of the sternum arm

The sternum is a flat, spongy bone of elongated shape located in the frontal zone of the human chest. It consists of three separate fragments: the arms of the sternum, the body, the appendage. In childhood, parts of the sternum are joined by a cartilaginous tissue, which eventually hardens and acquires a bone-like structure.

The sternum arm is the upper part of the sternum. It has an irregular quadrangular shape and is the widest part of the bone. On the sides there are special cuttings for fastening with the clavicle. A little below there are symmetrical grooves for connecting with the cartilages of the first ribs. The upper recess of the handle of the sternum is called the yoke. In people of asthenic type of addition, the handle is easily probed through the muscle layer.

The anterior bone is one of the important components of the breast corset. It protects internal organs from mechanical influences and injuries with bruises. One of the main zones of the chest contains the bone marrow and is the organ of the hematopoiesis. Injuries and congenital anomalies of the sternum the following systems suffer:

• respiratory;
• musculoskeletal;
• cardiovascular.

Let's consider the frequent reasons why the sternum arms bulge and hurts.

Buckthorn chest

If the bony corset is incorrectly built, the sternum arms bulge. The causes of the disease are associated with a congenital defect, called a "keeled chest."This developmental defect is more common in patients with peculiarities of the body structure: high growth, elongated limbs, lack of subcutaneous fat. The keeled deformity of the chest( CDG) has received a well-known name in the people - "chest of the goat pigeon".Clinical picture of the disease:

• protruding bone in the middle front of the breast;
• abdominal connective cartilage;
• hollow, slightly marked ribs.

Pathology is detected when a child is born, and with age, the symptoms only increase. Patients experiencing shortness of breath and palpitations during walking, complain of rapid fatigue. If you do not treat the defect, then over time, the person decreases the lung capacity and reduces the flow of oxygen into the body.

Treatment of CDG

To improve the overall condition of the patient, the following activities are carried out:

• regular exercise;
• pressure on the keel( in adolescents);
• respiratory gymnastics;
• wearing orthopedic devices;
• therapeutic exercise.

To completely eliminate a cosmetic defect, surgical intervention is required.

Barrel-shaped chest

With barrel chest increases intercostal spaces, the thoracic frame shifts forward and the sternum arms bulge. Why does this deformation appear? The answers can be several:

1. Most often, the cause of the pathology is emphysema. There is an increase in the lungs and displacement of the ribs. The disease occurs against the background of chronic bronchitis, tuberculosis and smoking, accompanied by coughing and shortness of breath.
2. Osteoarthritis is a joint disease in which the cartilage tissue wears out. If the arthritis affects the front ribs, then the sternum shifts forward.
3. Bronchial asthma. As a consequence of chronic inflammation of the lungs, the upper part of the sternum skeleton expands and loses the correct anatomical proportions.
4. Cystic fibrosis. Genetic disease causes the accumulation of mucus in the organs, including in the lungs. Often pathology leads to the appearance of a barrel chest.

To reduce the deformation of the sternum, the primary disease is primarily treated.

Breast fracture

In the event of a car accident, a blunt object or a drop, a fracture often occurs between the handle and the sternum. In severe cases, with trauma, the sternum is protruded, the structure of the bones is broken. The victim experiences unbearable pain, which is intensified with a deep breath.

A fracture forms a hematoma with edema. With a significant displacement of the sternum, in some patients palpation is probed for bone fragments. It is also possible to damage the internal organs: lungs, heart, pleura. With untimely medical care, complications occur - the accumulation of air and blood in the chest cavity. To diagnose the fracture, complex measures are carried out: computed tomography and radiography.

Treatment of

Patients are given an oral or intramuscular course of pain medications. In the injured area put novocaine blockade. For accelerated fusion, the sternum is repositioned, in which the bone fragments are correctly juxtaposed. In case of a fracture with a displacement, the sternum handle is fixed in the necessary position with special screws.

A month later the sternum fully fuses. In the future it is recommended to carry out rehabilitation measures:

• massage;
• water aerobics;
• respiratory gymnastics;
• swimming;
• exercises for posture.

After injury, the thorax is pulled by a medical elastic band or bandage. To prevent the risk of cracking at the site of injury, excessive physical exertion should be avoided.

Breast injury of the sternum

If the sternum hurts with a bruise, perform the following actions:

1. Provide the victim with bed rest.
2. To reduce the soreness of the injury, a tight bandage is applied to the chest and fixed on the healthy side.
3. Ice is applied to the sternum, this procedure will reduce hemorrhage and swelling.
4. With severe pain, painkillers are taken( Neiz, Spazgan, Baralgin).
5. On the third day after the bruise they switch to the treatment of hematoma - they make warm compresses.

If the pain in the handle of the sternum does not pass within a week, you need to consult a specialist. The doctor will conduct a medical examination and, according to the results, prescribe the treatment procedures, for example, electrophoresis. Medical action consists in the influence of a constant electric current on the injured place. Positive effects in treatment:

• reduces puffiness;
• relaxes muscle tone;
• accelerates the regeneration of tissues;
• increases the body's defenses;
• improves microcirculation;
• eliminates pain syndrome.

Serious damage to the vessels is treated surgically. If after a week the swelling did not resolve, then the stagnation of blood in the sternum is suspected. The doctor makes a puncture in a traumatized place, and excess fluid comes out.

Folk remedies with bruises

With a slight bruise of the arm of the sternum you can use folk methods of treatment:

1. Root of horseradish rub on a small grater and apply a compress on the injured place. This method of treatment is good for relieving pain, but it can not be used for the first two days after the injury.
2. To dissolve the hematoma, vinegar( 9%) is mixed with honey and applied in the form of a bandage on the sternum.
3. A good anesthetic effect has a remedy of cilantro. For 1 liter of boiling water, take 50 g of fruit and insist 15 minutes. Filter and take in a warm form for 2-3 cups a day.
4. Chopped parsley leaves are used for bandages. The crushed leaves are applied to the sternum and fixed with bandage.

If a person slips on the ice, then the ribs, sternum, and handle may fall injured. The body aches with such bruises and it hurts a very long time. To reduce suffering, it is recommended to apply a circular elastic bandage. When tugging is limited mobility of the sternum, and a person is easier to bear the pain.

Diseases of internal organs

When pressing on the handle of the sternum, pain may appear, giving off to other parts of the chest. The causes of pathology are degenerative changes in the joints, disorders in the cardiovascular, digestive and respiratory systems.

1. If, when you press the handle, you have unpleasant sensations in the process of the sternum, then this may indicate diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
2. With a pulling pain in the handle of the sternum, lasting more than a week, an aortic aneurysm is assumed.
3. If you feel a burning sensation on the bony corset, and the pain passes into the left shoulder or shoulder blade, then this is a clear sign of latent angina.
4. Often pain in the sternum causes pathological processes in the respiratory system: sarcoidosis, bronchitis, tuberculosis, pneumonia. Concomitant symptoms are weakness, severe cough, sweating.

Pathologies, in which the sternum arms bulge and hurts, can be quite serious. Therefore, if you feel uncomfortable when pressing and noticed external changes in the sternum, then consult a specialist.