The most common cause of sternum pain is a condition called costochondritis. This occurs when the cartilage that connects your ribs to your sternum becomes inflamed. Symptoms of costochondritis include: sharp pains or aches on the side of your sternum area.
What does it mean when your breast bone hurts?
Costochondritis. Costochondritis is the most common cause of sternum pain and occurs when the cartilage between the sternum and ribs becomes inflamed and irritated. Costochondritis can sometimes occur as the result of osteoarthritis but may also happen for no apparent reason.
What do you do when your chest bone hurts?
While your sternum heals, there are several things you can do to speed up the process and reduce your pain, including:
- applying an ice pack to your chest.
- taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) to reduce pain and inflammation.
- limiting your movement and avoiding any heavy lifting.
