What Causes Tenderness In The Xiphoid Bone?

Posted on Thu, 22 Dec 2016

Question: I have pains when pressing on my xiphoid bone (tenderness). Bloated stomach and middle back pains (chest line). I did not lose appetite. This has been going on for three weeks. Chest and abdominal ultrasound showed nothing. Chest and abdominal x rays also showed nothing. No blob in urine or stool

I am taking rapinirol, canabis and citalopram on a daily basis.

What could it be ?

Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Seems to be gastritis / bone inflammation

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for posting the query.

Tenderness at xiphoid bone can occur due to periosteal inflammation(periosteum is the thin layer of covering around the bone). Any previous episode of coughing,sneezing or a strain can cause this.

Another possibility is severe gastritis causing referred pain to xiphoid bone.This may present anywhere between a simple gastritis to a peptic / duodenal ulcer.

In both cases,Xrays and Ultrasounds are going to be normal and there won't be any loss of appetite.

Periosteal inflammation can be diagnosed on an MRI.

Gastritis / ulcer can be diagnosed by getting a gastroendoscopy done.

I would suggest you to get these tests done to come to a diagnosis. Three weeks is high time and you got to have a diagnosis in hand till now.

Till then take antacids with prebiotics and anti flatulents.
If pain is severe,take anti inflammatory ,analgesic tablets like paracetamol or tramadol.

Get back to me once the investigations are done.

Hope the answer was useful.

Thank you.

Kind regards.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng