My guess is that both of you have a cracked or fractured sternum. Diastasis recti, or rectus abdominis diastasis, is defined as a gap of about 2.7 cm or greater between the two sides of the rectus abdominis muscle. Pain is often worst where the rib cartilage attaches to the breastbone (sternum), but it can also occur where the cartilage attaches to the rib. Hi. Healing time can be in months or years. It's rarely diagnosed because it's hard to have a doctor on hand when it's happening. Substernal dysphagia occurs when a patient symptomatically localizes a sensation of discomfort or blockage between the thoracic inlet and the xiphoid process. I have had chest surgery and my ribs on my left side have never been the same, including my xyphoid. If a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is not performed properly, it may cause the xiphoid process to break. This pain in the xiphoid process may be constant, … If my ribs are kept in line, the xiphoid follows! history back spasms Dr. Donald Colantino answered 61 years experience Internal Medicine Bad news is they are extremely slow to heal because you are mobile and re-injure the fracture. I have had cortisone injections with some relief. The xiphoid process is the lowest and smallest part of the sternum. In any event it … These varied symptoms can be easily mistaken for any number of common abdominal or thoracic disorders. The xiphoid process is located at the lower part of the sternum. Costochondritis. ... Esophageal spasm could be triggered by anxiety or drinking cold water. I fractured mine by bending over at an odd angle to pick up something heavy. the tendency for spasm to develop. Costochondritis most commonly affects the upper ribs on the left-hand side of your body. Muscle spasm can cause sternum popping especially when the spasm is strong enough to cause partial dislocation to the ribs. Xiphoid process pain is commonly misdiagnosed due to a variety of reasons, the main reason being that it can produce varied constellations of symptoms. This strongly suggests that the distal end of the IMA should not be harvested, thereby helping to prevent graft spasm [41] and also preserving the blood supply of the xiphoid process, reducing the risk of wound problems. It's called cardio-esophageal reflex, aka linked angina. There is a surgical prosthesis called the Talon that can he surgically implanted to protect the sternum. Functional causes. My xiphoid snaps and crunches whenever I take a deep breath, sticks out at a funny angle, etcetera. Esophageal spasm can cause spasms and reactions in other parts of the body, notably the heart, and the heart can trigger esophageal spasms. The distance between the right and left rectus abdominis muscles is created by the stretching of the linea alba, a connective collagen sheath created by the aponeurosis insertions of the transverse abdominis, internal oblique, and external oblique. what might cause this? In case the xiphoid process projects inwards, its tip may rub on the heart causing pain. Inflammation: Inflammation of your breastbone can also inflame the xiphoid process causing pain in the front wall of your chest. sudden onset: pain radiating out from xiphoid process with back pain at same level and towards shoulders. Boerhaave's Syndrome: This is a rare condition involving an esophageal rupture caused by a sudden increase in intraluminal pressure. I also find that going to the chiropractor helps.