Sternum pain is caused by the muscles and bones near the sternum and ribs, not the sternum itself. Pain experienced just below the sternum is known as substernal pain, which is most commonly caused due to epigastritis. It is mainly caused due to costochondritis, an inflammation of the cartilage that connects the ribs to the breastbone (sternum). The pain in this condition aggravates while sneezing or coughing.
Causes Behind Sternum Pain
The majority of occurrences of sternum discomfort are unrelated to the heart and are caused by abnormalities with the sternum or adjacent cartilage.
