Lump at top of Scar: So I had a surgery... - British Heart Fou...

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Lump at top of Scar

AzulaYui profile image
9 Replies

So I had a surgery that ended with a scar down my chest and wires in my sternum. It's been 2 months now and I've noticed a hard lump at the top of my scar and it's still sore to touch. Is it possible it's an internal stitch or would it be more likely a wire sticking out? Either way running my finger over it is definately not comfortable and it feels like my skin is catching on it.

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AzulaYui profile image
AzulaYui
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9 Replies
Chappychap profile image
Chappychap

It could be a stitch, some hospitals still use them, particularly to secure the drains.

Book an appointment with the practise nurse at your GP to have your wound inspected. If necessary they'll remove the stitches.

I very much doubt that it's a wire sticking out.

It can take twelve months for scars to calm down and stop being so livid.

AzulaYui profile image
AzulaYui in reply toChappychap

Yeah I've booked an appointment with my GP but that's in a week and it's annoying me now. My drain holes have all been sorted so it's just the main incision now :)

Deanosbeano profile image
Deanosbeano

I have it , it settled around 3month at the bottom end it's like a dent too :)

I thought it was the wire but I think it's just the scarring where the cut is deepest

Grayjay profile image
Grayjay

I had several lumps all down my scar. It will go eventually. Apply cream on it i.e E45 regularly to help it disappear. I don't want to unnerve you in anyway but seeing as there were so many I had to have injections in them to get rid, but that shouldn't be your case. Not sure what it's called but the type of scarring has a name. Anyway don't worry it'll go eventually.

Kind regards.

bruceDavid profile image
bruceDavid

hello i have the same thing. it is probbly a wire.i can still feel some of mine 8 years post Cabg x3.it should become less problemtic with time.

Markyboy1903 profile image
Markyboy1903

Same here as everyone else and same mine has settled down. I'm guessing it just take everyone different amount of time to heal.

Prada47 profile image
Prada47

Yeah I an feel a lump at the top of mine, I have seen it on an Angiogram it's a kind of knot at the top of the sternum. On an Angiogram you can see all the wires if I recall properly I have 6 looks a little like tied shoe laces!!

ps I wouldn't let my Heart Surgeon tie my shoes he's not very good at it lol

pps Mine was done 2015 and still feel the knot.

regards

I have a few scars one in particular I have had for about 44 years and there is a lump on each end of it.

Your GP will keep you right I am sure.

BigT2013 profile image
BigT2013

It's normal to have a large lump near sternal notch just where chin would touch your chest.

After surgery it may take a few months sometimes longer to return to normal.

This may also push a sternal wire closer to skin surface which may be what u are feeling if it feels like catching your skin.

Internal stitches underneath skin some dissolvable but can n be stubborn and have been known to grow out.

Deeper stitches remain permanently.

I had similar issue but it's fine now.

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