Soreness in the sternum

[mike anthony]

I was wondering if anyone has had problems with their wires in the sternum area and what that pain feels like. I'm not sure if the pain I'm feeling is actually in the Sternum, but it's in the upper right side just to the right of the sternum. It could be a muscle strains, but has been 2 weeks and doesn't seem to be getting any better. It's not overly painful, but hurts when I reach to my left or down. I'm going on 7 weeks post-op.
I should add to this... that I took 1/2 swings with a golf club at 5 weeks(yes! stupid), but that's why I'm thinking it might be a muscle pull or just the fact that I have not used these muscles. It does not hurt to press along my sternum. And yes, I learned my lesson, have not touch a club since. Thanks

 

[weekycat]

Hi Mike,

I'm guessing you probably just did too much too soon. I remember when I was about 7 weeks post-op, I was at the gas station, and decided the windshield on my minivan needed cleaning. Sooo... of course I grabbed a squeegee and cleaned it. I could feel my sternum popping and clicking the whole time, but once I'd started, I felt I needed to finish, it would have been difficult to see through it if I hadn't!

The next day, my sternum was very sore, I called the surgeon's asst. She said I was using my arms too much and it was waaaaayyy to early for me to even think of doing such a thing. She also said my sternum would never heal if I didn't quit using my arms so much! I honestly had NO idea! They told me not to lift over 10 lbs for 12 weeks, and not to vacuum etc.. but nobody mentioned cleaning the window on my van!

The thing is, that at 6+ weeks post-op, most people feel pretty good and think they can do anything, but the sternum takes a very long time to heal, in fact at almost 11 months, mine's still a little sore now and then. If I were you, I'd mention it to your Dr., but you'll probably be told, you're using your arms too much.

 

[Johnny Stephens]

What Jean said. I got all kinds of sore once I started driving at 6 weeks, and using my arms again. I think it's your body telling you to back off. I think you'd know it if you had a problem with the actual sternum.

Glad you at least felt well enough to risk a golf swing. To quote a famous doctor "well, don't do that!"

 

[hensylee]

I have met that 'famous doctor', Johnny. lol

Mike, any time you have something bothering you and it does not go away, check it with the doctor. But I tend to agree with the others. A swing with a golf club - well, look at it. Body all contortioned like that. Also would be pushing bones together in the sternum. I still have trouble sleeping on my side with upper arm on the mattress - pushes those bones together and is somewhat uncomfortable. Have to keep that upside arm laid on my side. It's been 3 yrs for me. And after weeks of non or little activity - probly not good for your muscles.

 

[Jean]

Mike, the other possibility is that some of your ribs were 'green broke' from having them pulled back during surgery. I had nagging pain or soreness in my upper right side about 2-3 inches from the sternum. Couldn't figure it out until at 7 weeks I had my annual bone scan (cancer survivor) and the technician mentioned that I had two such spots. And as Hensylee says, even after 3 years I can still tweak stuff I haven't used much. Sometimes it feels like ends butt up against each other in the sternum although I know that is long healed. I really did my self in a couple of months ago when I (stupid too...you aren't the only one) when I upped my free weights by 15 pounds all at once and didn't cut down on the reps! Good luck and take care.

 

[Georgia]

Agree with all above

Agree with all above

And I also have some pain in the same area that I think is nerve-related. Most of that area was quite numb to the touch; the last couple of weeks I've had some pricking-kind of pain, and not just on the skin - it seems to be down into the muscle. It's not incapacitating, but it'll catch me unawares sometimes and elicit a "yow". Rubbing really helps, which is why I think it's primarily nerves regenerating or finding new pathways or getting unbruised.

 

[Creed3]

Hi Mike,
I know exactly the feeling you are talking about. I first felt it at about 2 months post op. I always wondered if it was the wires or possibly just due to healing or doing too much. It never was a really bad pain, just dull and really noticed it when I would bend over or move in certain directions. It went away a few weeks later. I am now 7 months post op and about a month or so ago I felt a similar sensation in around the same area but on the other side. It went away much quicker than the first time. I have found that I tend to feel different types of sensations from time to time. I'm not sure if any of them are wire related or not. My cardio told me that it is very possible that I will feel things like this on and off for the rest of my life. I would definately keep an eye on it and if it doesn't seem to get any better, definately check with your physician. I tend to agree with everyone else here that it is probably nothing to be too concerned about. Just one of those things we have to deal with.

Take Care!
Gail

 

[Andrea]

Swinging golf clubs at 5 weeks? Mike I think you need to relax and wait on the golfing. The twisting that the body does while swinging a golf club has to be about one of the worst ways we could move post op. I'm sure you'll feel fine in a few weeks, but this is your bodies way of telling you to wait for next years Masters

If I cant hold my baby, you cant play golf

 

[Guest]

Hmm....interesting thread....

I'm just over 3 months post op...and have noticed soreness in my sternum sometimes, too....most notably when I stretch in the morning as I wake up....that is the most painful.

Course, it could also be because of all the driving I do...LOL.

Still...pain isn't something to ignore or laugh at, and I must admit, that I'm not one to talk.... I haven't mentioned it to my cardiologist yet, mostly because I know it takes a year or so for the sternum to heal, so I think of them as "growing pains".... Still, I will be mentioning that (and a few other things...including the coloring of my fingernails) to my cardiologist when I see her at my appointment a week from today (May Day...May 1).

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[mike anthony]

Thank you for your replies. I know swinging a golf club at 5 weeks was way to early, but I got caught up in the sunshine; while I was in Scottsdale. I'm usually a little more patient, but god I was feeling good and I was just walking the course when I lost all sense of reality.
I've tried to think back to my first surgery and I think for me this is about the same time my chest started to ache. Has anyone esle noticed this around the 6 week mark. Because I really didn't feel any aches and pain the first 4 weeks, probably because we don't do much with our arms. Looks like I answered my own question.
I did earlier in the week send an e-mail to my surgeon, but he is out until Monday, so if it doesn't get any better I will e-mail him again. But, I do agree with everyones comments, I won't worry to much about it. Because I know the sternum is o.k., it's the wires that concern me. Thanks again, It's always nice to know you can get it answer here.

 

[Rich]

Mike,
One day I felt my chest and noticed I could feel several of the wires.
My cardio had me go for a quick x-ray.
Turns out everything was ok, I can feel them only because I'm on the thin side.
An old rib injury flared up after my surgery probably from splitting my chest open, still flares up from time to time to this day.
They also told me at the time of my surgery that it takes at least ten weeks for the sternum to heal and they were right.

 

[Creed3]

Mike,
Another thing to consider is that you may only be starting to feel some of those sensations now because the nerves are healing. I think it is a good thing for you to have called your doctor. It sounds like this is definately on your mind.

Take Care & let us know what the doc says.
Gail

 

[lemdonuts]

Mike;

i am so glad things are working out for you. It was very nice of you to write comments for those of us who still have to go through surgery. I read your first thread and thought Oh my God what am i in for?!?!!??! So there is a brigt light at the end of the tunnel. TY

 

[Sunshine susan]

Gosh, even though it has been 4 years, I remember that was sort of a tough one--the sore sternum. Even today, on those kind of wet days that can cause "rheumatiz", my chest will twinge. I'm much too young for real "rheumatiz", but it is an odd, and annoying, phenomenon. Take it easy and just let it heal. Golf swings, that's impressive!! At 4-5 weeks, I did't even like to sniff!! LOL Susan

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Hi Mike,

I had a lot of back muscle pain following my second surgery. The 'arm bicycle' machines at rehab REALLY helped loosen up my chest and shoulder muscles. I alternated between forward and backward rotation, changing direction every 2 minutes, and found the backward rotation was really stressful at first.

The booklet from the hospital had several pages of recommended exercises, including arm circles with the arms extended out in front and to the sides. Also, some stretches with one arm extended and the other hand pulling the extended elbow back in towards your chest and the old 'grab your shoulder blade' stretch, using the alternate hand to push on the elbow.

I understand the temptation to 'push it', but remember, your body will continue to heal for at least 6 months, maybe more. It's hard to be patient when the spring weather beacons

'AL'

 

[mike anthony]

I spoke with the nurse who is the case manager. I had sent an e-mail to the doctor and he had her call me to find out about the sternum pain. Her first question was, what are you doing? Well, I told her that I have been riding my cross-trainer 5 days a week for 50-60 mintues, mowing my lawn(2.5 arces) on a rider, washing my car, took a few golf swings and quite a few other things that involved my arms. Needless to say, she said I have only been post-op 7 weeks and to slow down. Heck! I told her I haven't been doing push-ups(just kidding).The key question for her was if I had any popping or cracking sounds...which I haven't. So, her advise, slow down and see if the soreness/pain goes away. If not to call back next week.

 

[lcwhitney]

Mike,

My surgery was in August of 2001. I have yet to have a time when my chest is not sore. I am especially sore when the weather is cloudy. My Doc says some people develop arthritis around the wires that hold the sternum in place and that all I can do is just try different things until something gives me relief.

Lettitia

 

[ginger6908]

I am I am 5 months post op. I was doing quite well at 2 months, then suddenly I started experiencing sharp pains at the site of the sternotomy. It comes and goes. I am afraid to move quickly, afraid to sail, ride or ski (I am 56). Sudden movement tends to bring on this pain. Has anyone experienced this kind of problem and then had it disappear???

The anticipation of the pain makes me tense and grouchy!

Feedback please.

 

[Ross]

Ginger would you say it feels like bone pain or is it actually lower and perhaps heart related? If it's bone pain, it could be that your sternum is moving slightly or wires are tugging where they shouldn't. Your still relatively fresh from surgery. It may take you another 6 months before everything is healed together.

 

[hensylee]

Ginger, when you have anything that you feel is unusual and especially if it doesn't go away and is messing up your life style, the first and best thing to do is call your doctor and check it out. that's what they got paid for. It sounds like it might be your wires? But your dr would know. We really don't want you to be grouchy, you know. God bless.