Sternum pain a year on 😐

[Markyboy1903]

Hi all not been on for a while but have a question. Tomorrow marks a year since my open heart surgery and health wise all is going well and I have a lot to celebrate but I'm getting still a lot of sternum pain and same from my scar. I do have a heavy lifting job and have luckily been able to work in another sector the past few weeks but needs must as we're busy and I'm back out driving and delivering car and truck parts 😐 Tonight is my last night at round 2 of cardiac rehab and the nurses there say things will just take time. I was just wondering if anyone else has or has had the same issues 🙂

[Hidden]

Mark I'm 9 months and still getting pain from the scar think any heavy lifting doesn't agree with the muscles around the chest so your not alone still can't complain the surgeons and nurses do a sterling job can't thank them enough

[Gail1967]

Hi I’m nearly 11 months post and I too get scar pain and nerve end tingling- especially when doing lots of lifting. Think it’s par for the course!!!

[Markyboy1903 in reply to Gail1967]

Yeah I've been told the scar pain is the nerve endings coming back to life and to massage the scar with bio oil which I've been doing the past couple of weeks and it's helping but I've to phone my GP and get a referral to cardiology about the sternum pain so I'll do that tomorrow

[cjbroon]

I'm nearly a year on as well and still get occasional sternum pain. Though since the operations I've probably had rib pain especially on my left side more than sternum pain. Rehab reckoned the pain was probably coming more from the muscle than the bone because their stretched open during the operation.

[MountainGoat52]

It is now 20 months since my surgery and I still get pain from my scar and the muscles in my chest. It is worst when I have been sitting still, such as when watching TV or at the computer. The muscles on my left side ache more than those on the right. When driving, the seat belt often irritates my muscles, but in the passenger seat the belt is the opposite way around and does not bother me. All this slowly getting better.

The other issue I have is my right ankle where the vein was removed. That bruises easily, aches and I have a loss of sensation. An artery was removed from my left arm and I have a loss of sensation in my thumb, but it has never affected my ability to grip things. Again it is all slowly getting better.

Thankfully I have never had any internal pain. I can put up with these minor inconveniences on the outside for the considerable benefits on the inside! 😀

[Markyboy1903 in reply to MountainGoat52]

I bought a clip for my seatbelt the pulls the strap that goes across your chest away from the area this week and it's made some difference as I drive for a living and my scar was becoming hyper sensitive to the belt rubbing on my scar. It was less than a fiver on Amazon

[DavidKeith52]

I had my triple bypass surgery in January 2018, over 2 years ago now and still get chest and scar pain. I’ve been told I have keyloid scarring and that there’s nothing can be done for it. I can’t wear tee shirts as the material irritates the scar. Heavy lifting is still out for me. I guess we just need to be patient, and at least we’re still here!

[cabbagex4]

I’m coming up on 1 year post open heart surgery also so very glad to see your post and all responses. I have the same sternum pain and like Cj broom more rib(or muscle) pain. It’s concerning because it’s all around my left side but MD assures it’s not internal and will heal over time. Thanks all for checking in on this topic, good to feel I’m not alone.

[Markyboy1903 in reply to cabbagex4]

Yeah the responses have been great and very much appreciated. I also like yourself and cj have rub pain but unlike both of you mine is on the right side but flares up from time to time.

[not2worry]

My husband had open heart surgery 20 years ago and from time to time he still gets a little pain in the chest from the area where they wired his chest back together.

I’m sure the muscles in the area after 9 months are still tender and the heavy lifting likely is aggravating them. It helps if you squat when you lift in that it will somewhat relieve the stress on you chest muscles.

All the Best!