Clicking sensation in Sternum post CABG

[dagger1947]

Hi All,

I'm just over 4 weeks post triple bypass op. The recoverys going well. I'm walking 50 mins per day and the scars are healing nicely.

I feel a kind of clicking sensation around the sternum area when I'm generally moving around (no accompanying pain though). Just wondered if anyone else has experienced it? I'm assuming it must be normal.

[skid112 Heart Star]

Hi dagger, yes I experienced the same post cabg it's wgere it hasn't fully healed and fused together.

[dagger1947 in reply to skid112]

Thats reassuring. Thanks Skid112.

[Sina-6491]

Yes can take a long time to stop clicking. I still have some issues when laying down if I turn funny ☺

[dagger1947 in reply to Sina-6491]

Thanks Sina

[Allyboy1973]

I had the same if I took a deep breath it cracked it does get better through time I still get the occasional pain if lying funny .. 17 months down the line but I had 2 bypasses in 18 months ....

[dagger1947 in reply to Allyboy1973]

Thanks Allboy 2 bypass's in 18 months? Blimey, I'm just about coping with one

[dagger1947 in reply to Allyboy1973]

Forgot to mention. If you don't mind me asking how come you had two bypasses in relatively quick succession?

[Hidden in reply to Allyboy1973]

Two bypasses - wow that must have been difficult the second time.

[Philippa_BHF]

Hi,

You are doing really well! Don't forget you are only 4 weeks post op and it takes a minimum of 6- 8 weeks for the bone to start healing ( like a normal broken bone), so it still needs a bit of looking after.. if you need to cough/sneeze( great time to have a cold...) support your chest with a cushion or similar as it takes off some of the pressure.

Also ,although it's easier said than done,try not to put added strain onto your chest when moving around/sitting up from the lying down position.

We call this a 'clicky sternum' and is one of the things your surgeon/cardiac rehab nurse will be checking when you are followed up,so it is very common,but ideally we want your sternum to heal in a nice straight line!

Take care and keep up all the good work!

Philippa

[dagger1947 in reply to Philippa_BHF]

Thanks alot for the advice Phillipa. Its much appreciated.

[Rifaqat_Tosif in reply to Philippa_BHF]

Hello There,m 39 years old,.my english isnt good but i ll try to explain,i had a open heart surgry in 20 of decembre 2023 the heart is working well but like others im also feeling clicking or what ever its call in my sternum just wanted to know is it normal?or i have to worry about this its not painfull but its kinda irritate click with evrey move so please let me know when ever its possible,please send me email im worry about this,[e-mail] this is my email thank you so much

[dagger1947 in reply to Rifaqat_Tosif]

I would say this is normal. For me it went away once the bone had fully healed. I’m sure it will be the same for you. All the best with your recovery.

[Twobells]

Good to hear you are doing well, but take it easy. I was told it takes a good year for it to heal properly. As it heals it can get tightness so plenty of bio oil or moisturiser will help.

[dagger1947 in reply to Twobells]

Thanks Twobells, I do have some moisturiser so will use that. Thanks again!

[Makmum]

High Dagger. I had the same cliking feeling in the sternal area this morning.Coming to two weeks this week end post CABG tripple.i wear chest protector most of the time,probably due to tightness

[Makmum in reply to Makmum]

After 7 months clicking sternal no longer an issue only have to deal with scar tissue expecially in the lower part of incision.

[HeyNonnyMouse]

Thanks to all of you and your comments, I can sleep (in a fetching dark blue mini-corset) easier now that I know the clicking sensation can go on for some time. I am 3 weeks post op a triple bypass and feeling quite good. Sometimes I think our corset can give more aches and pains than we started with. When I said I was clicky sternum I was told to tighten the ropes and pulleys on said undergarment. Onwards and upwards...

[mewg]

hi mate i was the same its nothing 2 worry about just the bones and muscles settling back in place

[dagger1947]

Thanks for replying. I'm now 17 months post CABG and the clicking went after about 2 months after the op.

[Deanosbeano]

Mine clicked for about 9 weeks on a deepish breath or when I got up in the morning .seems to be normal according to rehab .

[Trog33]

Had open heart surgery 8 weeks ago and have this clicking when I lie down or move a certain way no pain, just a clicking.

Is a little bothersome but OK

[Chuckness]

I really appreciate finding this post. I am 4-weeks post CABG x3 and have had clicking for two weeks. It’s been disturbing so I talked to my surgical PA today and was told to be as careful as possible in not overreaching.

Great to read that so many of you healed from this 👍

[dagger1947 in reply to Chuckness]

Glad it helped. Yes, it completely went away over time. The only niggle is itchy ness of the scar tissue but I understand that if you regular apply bio oil that helps with the healing. I don’t apply it regularly enough so it flairs up from time to time even 4 years later.

[Chuckness]

Thanks Dagger - much appreciated 🙏