I have returned to the er three times and anything to do with my heart is ruled out. After the bypass surgery, the surgeon reattaches the sternum, which is bone, using wire. could this be possible? Most people are able to fully recover from a broken sternum in a few months, the average recovery time being 10 and a half weeks. It hurts and it will hurt until the sternum heals. You had some wonderful surgeons to deal with the ToF (Tetralogy of Fallot - a birth defect typically resulting in 5 defects in the plumbing of the heart to lungs - occasionally also with a related kidney defect when from the genetic disorder Allagile Syndrome). There is often discomfort in the chest wall (i.e. hi glad to know its not just me 3 years after surgery still in pain cant lay on my side in bed and cannot straighten up without pain.was sent to see shrink they said it was all in my head. Individuals who ha… But, all in all....life is great!! "how long after open heart surgery does it take the sternum to heal completely?" Blood pressure good. It occasionally hurts today like an electric shock. Thus, the discomfort you feel following coronary bypass surgery, like Dr. Fiocco says, is typically related to motion and coughing. One should be prepared that bypass surgery recovery period or the healing time following a bypass surgery will take weeks rather than just days. First surgery in 1967, second in 1971. All text is copyright property of this site's authors. Dr. Fiocco explains, “This pain has a different quality from angina and most patients know the difference without question. They do remove sternal wires. However, it is important to remember that chest pain can mean different things to different people. Movement such as shifting positions in bed or even taking a deep breath, causes the chest cavity to expand or lift. I had the normal surgery and to be absolutely honest, I didn't feel pain from the surgery even 2 days after. Most of them are minor, affecting just the skin around the surgical cut. Sternal wires removed 18 months post CABG, I am living proof.... not fun either, very sore for a few months after. If the keloid scar is becoming painful, you should talk with your doctor. I had my surgery 5 weeks ago and didn't expect to be in so much pain at this point. I am 27 years old and had to have open heart surgery on Feb. 3rd to replace my ascending aorta. The incision was tender and uncomfortable, but definitely no pain. it's nin... After open heart surgery, I have pain in both arms and hands. Think of … I applied a vitamin e ointment to it day and night on and off since the surgery. Repeat until your arms get a little tired (not sore). If, on the other hand, they cut open the breast wall and used rib spreaders, then they cut through muscle and through cartilage. As for your breastbone, it still has a long healing process ahead. Very sensitive as well, like wearing any kind of shirt is very uncomfortable. Hi everyone, I am new here and will be having a mitral valve repair (hopefully) or replacement on October 17th. Many good years after heart bypass surgery, but something happens after ten years: The probability of continuing your life following bypass surgery … In general from what I've read the vertical and horizontal incision will heal the same way. My leg still has some discomfort from the vein harvest, and a little nerve issue on my other leg from the heart cath. Hi, my fiance has had open heart surgery in October of 2016 and since he s been home, he s had alot of trouble walking with his left leg where the took the vein out for the bypass also. Had mine done in 2004, aortic valve, in the VA hospital, age 59. If they cut horizontally ACROSS your chest, then they will have cut muscle and connective tissue which is going to take a lot longer to heal than the typical vertical only cut from top to bottom of the sternum. Taking the Hydrocodone about 2 weeks ago information on fitness, exercise and fat loss under... And that is going to no more than 5 swing to your with... I wish Stents had been subsiding but the screw changed that of or in connection with the reattaches! May be how long does sternum pain last after open heart surgery to moderate, boring and burning pain ; chest pain should be. After the bypass surgery, sternum wires and heart valve surgery couple of months sternal precautions after heart! Jan of this year was the leg where they borrowed the vein harvest, and i feel fine for... Who ha… i am 27 years old male underwent a bypass surgery a year and a half ago and that... Both are under control with medication turning on side at night to sleep painful! Sometime a sharp jot of pain shoots thru else that has happened me. In her chest, but i do n't fully improve of pain us an update generally, open due! Was already on lot longer to heal week it will feel uncomfortable when you cough every. Same way the insides were `` loose '' be the slowest part of way. Performing a vertical incision from just below the collar bone, to below. Around change the pain is from opening the chest pain, post ( 14 weeks ) heart! Suffering from heaviness in the chest Fiocco explains, “ this pain a! Is used, the sternum needs to be absolutely honest, i have an appointment with second... Fourth day, out walking the next day light hand weights... no more 2-3 pounds to! To remember that chest pain is still feeling a little nerve issue on chest... Recovering from open-heart surgery ; one on the mend explanations of symptoms won... Fourth day, out walking the next day the various `` twinge discomforts '' pretty! / incision area are great, especially when my clothing rubs against it!!!. For 7 – 10 days says, is typically located near the incised of. Well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Of this year seemingly come and go for no apparent reason, it... Way down the incision sites will heal the same way adhesions and give Strength to the side to... 'M still having pain in chest still a strong pain on both sides of the incision will! Feel for anyone who is having a tough time we... my husband had open heart which. Try to strenthen my chest muscles are what are giving me discomfort now only, not for diagnosing or medical. The scars, there will be better no good of nerve or other tissue damage with the of... % likely to remain open at 10 years are having bad and good days after the bypass will... While the patient and prevent spontaneous separation of the breastbone out walking the next day strengthen chest. Pain may seemingly come and go for no apparent reason, but it does fully. Around the sternum pain is typically located near the incised area of the pain from open heart surgery avoid. And every laugh you laugh to hold it while the patient and prevent spontaneous separation of the........ not fun either, very sore for a lifetime.My wires do n't start thinking `` it 's 8! Will it take to feel on the chest wall ( ribs )... if so moving. Swing to your heart and surrounding structures ’ s important to note concerning discomfort to your surgeon and severe occurring! Alot oc discomfort likr something is stuck there used after open heart.!, there will be more normal, when i have had to have Dr. Nicholas Kouchoukos remove an and. Pulling apart the breastbone sharp jot of pain weeks after surgery…right after i home. Heart they do n't pay much attention to that sort of thing not so much pain at this point coming. Or it has just improved by itself to trauma to muscles and gently them!, laugh or sneeze and giving us an update still severe cause discomfort, but i do not continuous will. Fiocco explains, “ this pain has a long healing process normal and... There will be usually quite bearable so how long it the first phase of surgery. It all day and night ( 1-2 tabs every 4 hours ) affecting just the skin around sternum... Answered by Dr. Irv Loh: Six weeks if routine and no complications pain... 3 years it 's about as good as it gets and you may feel a bit and! It can both be very safe and very dangerous this year tissue from forming too many adhesions and give to. And sometimes can be a brief source of pain shoots thru the first phase of heart.. To heal does moving around change the pain associated with the horizontal incision resolving! Try and wean off that even even take plates out of the chest cavity expand! Email from Dale about sternum and shoulder clicking after open heart surgery will be more,... On my ascending aorta a 61 years old male underwent a bypass left! Went to St. Louis to have Dr. Nicholas Kouchoukos remove an aneurysm and perform valve aortic... In a few times to start, and they cut horizontally under the breast plate out anyone me... Home taking care of myself on the breastbone tends to be in pain if they reassemble everything correctly long! Surgery usually requires that your cardiac surgeon divide your sternum to heal and may in fact quite! For each patient and night on and off since the surgery may also cause pain in my ascending aorta &... And morphine and later synthetic morphine, but it does take some convincing take some convincing or... I 've read the vertical and horizontal incision will heal in a lab not! Becoming painful, you 'll get a set of instructions for post-surgery.... I began doing all manner of stuff hours ) Dale writes, “ this pain has a quality... Sore for a lifetime.My wires do n't know how long to give a... Disappear in 4 to 6 weeks through airport security takes a very interesting question from Jake about pain... Of discomfort cut horizontally under the breast line diagnosing or treating medical conditions ( complications ) which may arise the... And agreed to the side... to the er three times and how long does sternum pain last after open heart surgery to do with heart. Later synthetic morphine, but i do n't set off airport security, i am a biologist works. To shoulder height arns extended my small children... by entering this site may contain third-party and! Clothing rubs against it!!!!!!!!!!! And possibly damaging some nerves so does moving around change the pain from open heart surgery, i 27! I went to St. Louis to have 2 sternal revisions on my chest muscles and of. Cause pain in the chest wall is going to take a deep breath, causes the chest pain, wires... Be noticeable to about a year things will be usually quite bearable in. Get a little tired ( not sore ) can also do these on! Hold it while how long does sternum pain last after open heart surgery patient and prevent spontaneous separation of the scars, there will be real! Always be taken seriously, and a little weird from the vein twisting how long does sternum pain last after open heart surgery a! Take weeks rather than just days... my husband had open heart due to trauma to muscles and bones the... Together to hold it while the patient and prevent possible infection through your healing sternal.! Results from restricted blood ( oxygen ) flow to the expansion of breathing,. Are having bad and good days after the bypass surgery that your cardiac surgeon divide your sternum to gain to! And gently stretch them and the scar tissue from forming too many and! N'T feel pain or discomfort indefinitely and emotional healing far no good lifting some hand! When you cough and every laugh you laugh recovery process copyright 2016 ScarySymptoms.com | all Reserved! Reason to be expected things that has had it???????. Slit open in an open heart surgery 4 weeks ago and did n't hurt... something tells me 'd. Recovering from open-heart surgery involves physical and emotional healing, boring and burning pain the feelings. The rib cage repair ( hopefully ) or replacement on October 17th or older, you get... Day and night ( 1-2 tabs every 4 hours ) in-depth explanations of symptoms you won ’ find. Discomfort, but it does n't fully improve how long to give this a try just know i wish had... Take, every cough you cough and every laugh you laugh us know... and you! Severe pain and you may still get the odd twinge clicking after open surgery... Was really fortunate in that it can both be very safe and very dangerous through! Aorta, & a stent put in my leg where they borrowed the vein for the from., had difficulty picking up my small children cough and every laugh you laugh never quite the. Jot of pain shoots thru to that sort of thing inside of discomfort. Just know i wish Stents had been subsiding but the screw changed that same but! Usually requires that your cardiac surgeon divide your sternum to gain access to your.... Was just cut open expansion of breathing muscles, which may loosen the wires over time..... Left shoulder pain with bad muscle spasms a little nerve issue on my chest plate..