Sternum healing, discomfort and skiing ?

[bbb]

Hi,

I heard that it takes 6 weeks for the sternum to heal. Then I think I read here somewhere, it is a full 12 weeks to complete healing.

I am feeling great at 5 weeks post-op, and naturally still experiencing the discomfort of my sternum. Not really pain, just awareness and a discomfort. I am still sleeping on my back, although can get away with a few minutes in the morning on my sides. I am looking forward to starting cardio rehab soon, and hopefully beginning to work on some of the upper body muscles.

What is anyone else's experience with the amount of time it takes until you are not aware of that sternum discomfort anymore?

Also, my local cardio had told me I could ski in Feb, 8 weeks post op. I am now thinking it might be better to wait the 12 weeks? Of course, I would take it easy in the beginning...any thoughts?

Thanks, Betsy

 

[Bina]

I'm a "play safe" type and would not risk any damage to my sternum; even slipping and twisting your muscles can be very painful postop.

 

[bbb]

Downhill skiing on the easy slopes with my children...

 

[halleyg]

4 months post op I got a massage and my sternum still felt a little uncomfortable while lying flat on my belly and having someone rub my back. I have been working out a lot lately and notice if I overdo it, my sternum will feel sore (it has now been 4 1/2 months since my OHS). I don't ski so I can't say how you'll feel. I've noticed from being on the boards that everyone is different. For me personally, and from what I do know about skiing, 8 weeks post-op would be pushing it to say the least. We took the kids roller skating a couple of weeks ago and that caused some sternum discomfort for me for some reason. I believe it when people say it takes a year not to have any discomfort. But you have to listen to your own body, the kiddie slopes might not bother you. Just be careful out there..

 

[Cooker]

I rushed things I started trying to swing the golf club at about six weeks or so. Although I did not swing hard it was apparent it was NOT a good idea. Like Rachel it was about a year before I was unaware of any issues with any activities. Do yourself a favor and don't push it. IMHO

 

[lieb2101]

Well, I haven't made it to surgery yet but I feel your pain as I recently had to cancel my snow trip to Steamboat Springs
Surgeon said it was the impact that he was afraid of. I've stayed off my snowboard since. Not that I have the energy to even strap it to my feet right now...

Anyway, I would say don't do it until you're muscles are in good enough shape to absorb an impact and you can handle a good fall. Can you throw yourself down onto a couch or bed without too much pain yet? Remember, it doesn't matter how good of a skier you are, it's that ***** barreling down at you from behind going 100mph that you've got to watch out for.

 

[Bina]

Anyway, I would say don't do it until you're muscles are in good enough shape to absorb an impact and you can handle a good fall. Can you throw yourself down onto a couch or bed without too much pain yet? Remember, it doesn't matter how good of a skier you are, it's that ***** barreling down at you from behind going 100mph that you've got to watch out for.

WELL SAID

 

[Jkm7]

Everyone is different....as the professionals always tell us.

For me, I am four years post op and still can not sleep on my stomach. My sternum healed fine but is very uncomfortable when we are experiencing change of weather, rain and/or snow, and high heat and humidty make me uncomfortable. I think it safe for me to assume is is just the way it is going to be.....unless I have to have a second OHS and who knows what it will feel like after that. I'm a fairly hearty sort and it surprises me to have this discomfort. I'm usually the 'ignore it, it will go away type.'

I hope your healing leaves you with no residue discomfort but agree you should wait to ski until your doctors approve.

 

[Philip B]

Skiing?

Skiing?

The six week post-op number seems to usually be wait time many cardio docs want OHS patients to wait before engaging in cardiac rehab programs. Others have stated the reality about all of us having different rates of healing; it really is an individual thing. How aggressively you pursue resumption of the activities you enjoy is also a very individual thing.

I pushed the recovery thing pretty hard and seem to have done okay, but that's not a course I recommend for anyone else. When a friend heard me making plans to playing golf at three weeks post-op he didn't try to tell me not too; instead, he simply asked me if I had my surgeon's telephone number so he could call for me after I blew my sternum wires out. He made his point and I canceled my plans.

Odds are probably pretty good that you might be able to get away with doing the skiing thing if you're a decent skier. There is that chance however that a fall on the "bunny hill" could have some rather negative consequences. Do you want to take that chance. Did I mention that the worst skiing injury (a major skull & facial fracture) I ever got happened with my "kid" sister on the "bunny hill"?

Despite global warming, the mountains and snow will still be there if you give yourself more time to heal. Why push it unless your psyche forces you to?

-Philip

 

[Guest]

It's 8 weeks for me and I still get nerve twinges in my chest and along the incision. I carried 8 bottles of water in a shoulder bag to my cubicle today and that was a bit too much as my chest was sore afterwards, I felt fine while carrying it, did not feel heavy to me. My sternum does not hurt, I think it's nerves and muscle. I have been able to sleep on my stomach for a little over a week now but find I turn on my side too. (I've always been a stomach sleeper).

I like Rachel's post "maybe you will want to just sit it out and enjoy the ambience."

 

[starrman]

I am eight weeks post-op today and am starting my cardiac rehab tomorrow at the hospital. I think everyone's recovery is a little different but from reading these boards, it is a relief to hear that alot of people have the same symptoms that I still do - more awareness of their heartbeat, chest discomfort, can't sleep on your side or stomach, massage discomfort, changing pulse when at rest. My cardiologist said to just give it time and many of these things will adjust over time. He has been right on everything so far so I definitely believe him on this as well.

I am generally pretty conservative and am taking my cardiologist's advice and taking it easy physically and perhaps slowly easing back into the work day. If it were me, I would take a pass on the skiing until a bit later......

 

[avery582008]

sternotomy recovery

sternotomy recovery

hello. i am 40, three months post op from aortic valve & trunck replacement, its been a real ordeal as many of you know. Doc says he thinks i may have done to much to soon and my sternum may not be healing proper and may have to reopen my chest. Has anyone had this problem? Doc is giving it 30 days to heal. Thanks for any advice

 

[WayneGM]

hello. i am 40, three months post op from aortic valve & trunck replacement, its been a real ordeal as many of you know. Doc says he thinks i may have done to much to soon and my sternum may not be healing proper and may have to reopen my chest. Has anyone had this problem? Doc is giving it 30 days to heal. Thanks for any advice

Welcome to the VR community. Glad you found us.

Sorry to hear about your situation. I don't have any first hand knowledge but I was aware of the possibility if I didn't take it easy and let the sternum heal properly. I was very careful not to lift or stretch too much for those first 6 weeks like they recommend. Thanks for sharing your story as it is a reminder for those in the waiting and recovery rooms that pushing yourself during recovery, especially those early weeks, can have consequences.

I really hope it doesn't come to reopening to re-set the sternum. Best wishes and good luck.

 

[margaret50]

margaret

margaret

Sternum healed approximately 3 months.

Could not do something like a pushup.

Hurt when I had to push down to open the child proof medicine bottles.

After 1 year, no problems, Cannot feel that that I had the operation.

No pain. Great. Feels normal like before surgery.

Margaret

 

[ctyguy]

Im 7 weeks post op and am doing most things that I used to do. Went to the driving range yesterday and took more than a handful of full swings. Of course I was tentative with it but I didn't feel any discomfort (other than the direction of the golf ball itself).

I tried some chest exercises at the gym yesterday and I can definitely tell I need more time to heal before I even consider doing any moderate weights. Same can be said for carrying anything of significant weight (over 40 lbs).

 

[ALCapshaw2]

SO Betsy, what did you do in February?

Go Skiing or 'take it easy'?

Curious Minds want to know

 

[Jkm7]

Ctyguy.... We had our surgery the same time and while I (not to jinx myself) am having a great recovery, I still have chest pain. I read your post with interest as this was my second OHS and I still had chest discomfort from my first which was four years ago. I am starting to resign myself to probably having chest pain forever. I know my surgeon removed all the old wires etc so it appears that is just how it is for me.

I'm not a golfer but I would definitely not be swinging a golf club even if I were. Too sore.