The sternum is a flat bone connected to the rib cage, located in the middle of chest. The purpose of the bone is to protect the heart, lungs and major blood vessels. Sternal pain that occurs after exercise can be caused by a fracture, injury to a joint in your breastbone, a broken collarbone, inflammation in the rib cartilage or trauma caused by a fall or injury.
Stress Fracture
A stress fracture to the sternum is a rare condition typically caused by a blunt-force trauma or injury. In some cases, sternal fractures are caused by repetitive upper body exercise. Symptoms include rapid onset of severe pain at the front of the chest. Doctors at the Cambridge Military Hospital in Britain suggest that stress fractures to the sternum are underdiagnosed in athletes, and that this injury should be considered when athletes present with sternal pain.
Sternoclavicular Joint Injury
Hard impact or injury to the shoulder can cause dislocation or damage to the collarbone, also known as the clavicle, and sternum. Symptoms include pain in the area where the breastbone and collar bone meet, pain that radiates into the shoulder and a visible lump. While this type of injury is rare, it can interfere with and damage blood vessels. A scan of the area can determine the intensity of the injury. An X-ray can show damage to bones, but will not show blood vessels. You may need to rest for a few weeks to allow the injury to heal. A clavicle resection, a surgical procedure, is only considered in rare circumstances because the chances of it being a success are only 50 percent, according to the Sports Injury Clinic website.
Broken Collarbone
The collarbone is located at the top of the chest between the shoulder blades and breastbone. Collarbone fractures from falls, accidents or playing sports are extremely common, according to the London Pain Clinic, and can occur in athletes and kids. Symptoms include pain on the breast and collarbone, swelling and deformity. You may need to wear a sling or collar and cuff for one to two weeks to allow the fracture to heel.
Inflammation
Costochondritis, also known as chest wall pain, is a condition characterized by inflammation of the tissues between the ribs and sternum. Symptoms of costochondritis are often mistaken for a heart attack, and can occur after periods of heavy breathing.
References
- Minnesota State University, Mankato: The Sternum
- London Pain Clinic: Sternal Pain
- ScienceDirect: Stress Fracture of the Sternum: An Unusual Injury?
- Sports Injury Clinic: Sterno-Clavicular Dislocation
- Sports Injury Clinic: Fractured Collarbone
- Beijing Medical University: Major Causes of Musculoskeletal Chest Pain
