Bruised sternum

definition

Sternum contusions (Reversed sternum) arise from direct and blunt trauma. For example, the direct trauma could be a blow directly to the sternum. During this trauma, the tissue is crushed. Bruising, swelling or bruise marks may become visible. However, the skin is not visibly injured.

A bruised sternum can be associated with severe pain and can have various causes.

causes

The causes of a sternum contusion can be many. A fall can be the cause and then often leaves with an additional bruise (Contusion) of the ribs. Athletes can also suffer from sternum contusion for various reasons. In martial arts in particular, kicks or bumps can lead to such injuries, which then do not necessarily have to be associated with bruised ribs. Ball sports can also lead to a bruise in this area. For example, a goalkeeper can be injured by a very strong and fast ball that hits him on the sternum.
In particular, the occurrence of car accidents is also lamented.

In general, such an injury can occur during any leisure or everyday activity. The decisive factor is the direct force acting on the sternum. This then crushes the tissue and injures the lymph and blood vessels. This results in bruising and swelling. Bump marks can become visible. However, as described above, the skin remains intact.

Sternum Pain - Is It Dangerous? Read more here.

Bruised sternum after a car accident

Car accidents often result in bruises in the sternum. The casualties hit the steering wheel hard, for example. The seat belt can also build up a lot of pressure in an accident and cause a bruise. Usually the bruised sternum is not the only injury. Also typical are bruises of the ribs or even fractures. In addition, whiplash dreams are often (Cervical spine distortion) associated with car accidents.

The bruised sternum itself and the accompanying injuries can lead to very severe pain, which can increase in the following days.

Appointment with a back specialist?

I would be happy to advise you!

Who am I?
My name is dr. Nicolas Gumpert. I am a specialist in orthopedics and the founder of .
Various television programs and print media report regularly about my work. On HR television you can see me every 6 weeks live on "Hallo Hessen".
But now enough is indicated ;-)

The spine is difficult to treat. On the one hand it is exposed to high mechanical loads, on the other hand it has great mobility.

The treatment of the spine (e.g. herniated disc, facet syndrome, foramen stenosis, etc.) therefore requires a lot of experience.
I focus on a wide variety of diseases of the spine.
The aim of any treatment is treatment without surgery.

Which therapy achieves the best results in the long term can only be determined after looking at all of the information (Examination, X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, etc.) be assessed.

You can find me in:

• Lumedis - your orthopedic surgeon
  Kaiserstrasse 14
  60311 Frankfurt am Main

Directly to the online appointment arrangement
Unfortunately, it is currently only possible to make an appointment with private health insurers. I hope for your understanding!
Further information about myself can be found at Dr. Nicolas Gumpert

Symptoms of a bruised sternum

Even laughing, sneezing or coughing can lead to pain. Therefore, those affected often take gentle breathing. This means that you only breathe shallowly and avoid deep breaths in order not to feel any pain. This can sometimes even lead to a feeling of breathlessness.

The risk of respiratory infections also increases. This is because the lungs are not adequately ventilated and the resulting mucus is not coughed up. This mucus can then form the breeding ground for bacteria and in the worst case lead to pneumonia. Breathing exercises and breathing gymnastics have a preventive effect.

Since the arms are connected to the breastbone via the collarbones, movement of the arms can cause pain. Other movements can also cause pain. This usually leads to a general relieving posture. This gentle posture can lead to additional stress on other parts of the body, which in turn lead to pain in these parts of the body.

Sternum pain

Those affected by a bruised sternum often complain of very severe pain that resembles a broken bone. A doctor should therefore be consulted in order to rule out a break.

The pain can make everyday movements a challenge or even torture. Many sufferers already have severe pain when they sneeze and cough. The pain quality can be felt as pulling, stabbing or dull.

The pain may worsen in the days following the trauma.

Find out more about sternum pain here.

therapy

If a bruise is suspected, the current activity (sport) should be interrupted immediately. Cooling the area can be very helpful. Cooling batteries or ice can be used for this. However, ice should never be placed directly on the skin, as the extreme cold can damage the skin and tissue!

The attending physician prescribes pain relieving medication depending on the pain sensation. These help you cope with everyday movements and activities such as sleeping, coughing or sneezing. This pain management is important because sternum contusions often lead to avoidance behaviors. Deep breathing or coughing should not be avoided as they can frequently lead to respiratory infections. Breathing exercises and breathing gymnastics can prevent this. Other unnecessary movements and exercise should be avoided.

Diagnosis of a bruised sternum

The affected area should be x-rayed to rule out a broken bone. It is not uncommon for a break to be suspected due to the severe pain and swelling.
In order to rule out further injuries after a car accident, other imaging methods such as magnetic resonance tomography (no radiation exposure!), Computed tomography and ultrasound examinations are sometimes used.

Duration of a sternum contusion

A bruise of the sternum can last a long time and cause pain. The bruise usually heals within three weeks. The duration, however, depends on the severity of the injury and ranges from a few days to a few weeks.

The sporting activities should only be resumed slowly increasing once pain is free. Too early exposure can delay and prolong the healing process.