Question 1

i have a lump a little to the right of my xiphoid process. its painful and tender to touch. i got an x-ray and said it came back clear. does that mean its not the xiphoid cartilage causing issues? what else could a lump around that area mean?

Accepted Answer

: Tender to touch and negative XRay, may suggest a cutaneous or subcutaneous inflammation-  Boil, Pimple or Lipoma -( fatty tissue ). The Dermatologist might help if warm compress massage fails to provide relief.

Question 2

i can feel a lump about the size of a quarter below my xiphoid process. there's no pain and i have no other symptoms. should i be concerned seriously ?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Since you are writing in you are concerned.
 Could be a lipoma, hernia, skin carbuncle. 
See a doctor for exam- need to feel the lump and possibly get imaging test.

Question 3

are there any lymph nodes on the actual costal cartilage of the ribs near the xiphoid process? felt a few lumps together when showering, seem moveable

Accepted Answer

Lumps: No lymph nodes would be there. These lumps are probably small inclusion cysts or tiny lipomas(fatty growths). However a physician or dermatologist would have to inspect these in order to make a diagnosis and also inform you whether removal is advisable.

Question 4

how do you differentiate the painless, central small lump, just under the sternum as xiphoid process or epigastric hernia?

Accepted Answer

Hernia or not?: Biggest way to differentiate is does this area change with flexion of the abdominal muscles.  i.e. lay flat and lift the feet up off the bed (a leg lift).  Does the lump come out?  If it does, it is a hernia.  How about squat down and lift something. Same rule applies.  Now, without a large lump it does not necessarily mean no hernia, but if it does, that is the answer.

Question 5

hi...have lump & some discomfort in epigastric area - below sternum/xiphoid process region.  ultra sound normal, xray finding of soft tissue swelling.

Accepted Answer

Soft tissue swelling: means exactly that, swelling.  If they were specifically looking for a hernia and could not see it on ultrasound, most likely it is not a hernia.  You should see a surgical specialist just to be sure.

Question 6

i have a new hard painful lump where my xyphoid process is. i am thin so you can see the lump under my skin. it feels like bone and is tender. why?

Accepted Answer

It may be: Your xyphoid process!  If it is where your xyphoid is, and it is hard and tender, that is probably what it is.  In my 20 yrs as a Dr, I have seen a handful of people in my office with the exact same history.  100% of them had a tender! pronounced (large) xyphoid.  They were all thin, is it made their xyphoids very prominent. But I would see your Dr to be sure.

Question 7

help please? how hard is it to break your xiphoid process bone?

Accepted Answer

Hard: You would require asharp blow to the lower chest an fracture a small thin bone held by ligaments. Its more likely to bend and strain the ligaments then to fracture

Question 8

i have swollen extremly painful  fo touch or bending forward  xiphoid process.  4 years plus duration.   help.

Accepted Answer

See a doctor: Get examined and perhaps undergo some imaging studies.  You know this is not normal.  Go and get seen.

Question 9

i noticed pain a couple of days ago when i touched  the xiphoid process it is actually quite painful. it hurts if i sit a certain way as well. why?

Accepted Answer

Inflammation: Most likely inflammation of the cartilage. With the movement exacerbating the pain this would make internal disease less likely

Question 10

xiphoid process hurts. a couple days ago i was pushing on it a few times but not hard. it now hurts and bothers me in that area. i get anxiety attacks a lot could it have to do with that? is it bad to press xiphoid process?

Accepted Answer

See PMR or Ortho doc: Sounds like a benign irritation to this area, most likely from you messing with it. Since you are anxious about it, do visit your doc for accurate diagnosis, treatment options, and resolution for your worry. In the meantime, leave it alone except to apply topicals such a Ben gay, 5% lidocaine ointment, or better, a piece of OTC 4% lidocaine patches.

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Doctor answers about:

Painful hard lump below xiphoid process

A member asked:

I have a lump a little to the right of my xiphoid process. its painful and tender to touch. i got an x-ray and said it came back clear. does that mean its not the xiphoid cartilage causing issues? what else could a lump around that area mean?

A member asked:

I can feel a lump about the size of a quarter below my xiphoid process. there's no pain and i have no other symptoms. should i be concerned seriously ?

A member asked:

Are there any lymph nodes on the actual costal cartilage of the ribs near the xiphoid process? felt a few lumps together when showering, seem moveable

A member asked:

How do you differentiate the painless, central small lump, just under the sternum as xiphoid process or epigastric hernia?

A member asked:

Hi...have lump & some discomfort in epigastric area - below sternum/xiphoid process region. ultra sound normal, xray finding of soft tissue swelling.

A member asked:

I have a new hard painful lump where my xyphoid process is. i am thin so you can see the lump under my skin. it feels like bone and is tender. why?

A member asked:

Help please? how hard is it to break your xiphoid process bone?

A member asked:

I have swollen extremly painful fo touch or bending forward xiphoid process. 4 years plus duration. help.

A member asked:

I noticed pain a couple of days ago when i touched the xiphoid process it is actually quite painful. it hurts if i sit a certain way as well. why?

A member asked:

Xiphoid process hurts. a couple days ago i was pushing on it a few times but not hard. it now hurts and bothers me in that area. i get anxiety attacks a lot could it have to do with that? is it bad to press xiphoid process?

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