What Causes Sternum Pain?

Sternum pain with a clear history of trauma is typically attributed to sternal injury or soft tissue injury involving the sternum.

In the absence of a definite traumatic history, unexplained sternal pain or tenderness raises suspicion for hematologic disorders, such as anemia, aplastic anemia, or leukemia.

Pain located behind the sternum generally warrants evaluation for esophageal, mediastinal, or cardiac conditions—such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), esophageal cancer, mediastinal tumors, angina pectoris, or myocardial infarction.

Another group of patients experiences pain on both sides of the sternum, commonly due to costosternal arthritis or costochondritis. Therefore, individuals experiencing sternal pain are advised to seek professional medical evaluation and diagnostic testing at a hospital to establish a definitive diagnosis.