Question
I am 43 and I was wrestling with a guy at work when I felt a pop in the center of my chest along with pain, I have been experiencing the pain for 3 days now.  Have been taking ibuprofin and it dulls the pain for a while but it doesn't go away completely.  Was wondering if I have a cracked sternum?  Thank You

Answer
Michael-

Please accept my apologies for such a late answer.  Since I wasn't there to see the "match" :-) and I can't evaluate you physically...I would have to answer YES, it IS possible you cracked your sternum.  However, having spent more than a decade working with national caliber rugby teams I would say that type of injury (cracked sternum) is much less likely than one involving your ribs, specifically where they attach to your sternum.  Suffering a sprain of the ligaments and cartilage at the attachment points is pretty common in sports, and very painful for a long time, unfortunately.  Is the pain midline, or slightly off to one side?  You may be able to feel the area of greatest tenderness, and carefully run your fingers a centimeter or two toward your side and feel a rib.  If so, chances are I am right.  Should you get an Xray?  Well, do you have pain when you take a breath in?  A big breath?  How about on full exhalation?  Yes to any - get a Xray taken.  If not, doesn't rule out a fracture but it becomes a less likely possibility.  Even if you did fracture a rib or sternum nothing will be done about it unless there is displacement of the fragments (higher risk of internal [lung] damage).  Icing will help you recover faster - probably in half the time.  Ice cubes in a bag, directly on the area, for 20 minutes (not longer!).  Do not use ice if you have an allergy to cold (get hives or other skin reaction).  Allow one hour between icings.  Will do wonders within a few days, but you may have pain for a couple of weeks.

Good luck, and let me know if you have any other questions.