I am experiencing Sternum Clicking post CABG. Now 4 weeks since surgery and I’ve had minor clicking for about 2-weeks. Like 4-6 clicks or pops per day, mostly later in the day when I’m tired.
Have you experienced this and how long does it take to heal?
Thanks so much. It’s a bit disturbing 🙃
It takes about six weeks for the sternum to fuse after surgery. After both my heart surgeries I had a check up after six weeks and one of the things my surgeon checked was whether my sternum had fused. It's not unusual to get clicking noises in the early days but should stop once it's fused. It's often caused by the bones popping back in line after shifting slightly, usually caused by something you've done putting a strain on your chest.
Wendy
Thanks very much, Wendy. I really appreciate you sharing your experience. I’ve had a hard time getting a straight answer from my docs on whether this is normal or not.
I've read about this clicking, but I don't understand how the sternum is going to fuse when bits keep moving. Am I being thick?
Thanks Beatles, that is what I am trying to understand. I've had multiple nurses tell me it is common and it will heal in time. I assume as the sternum settles and reconnects the clicking will go away.
Does anyone know more about this?
Hi,I can only add that I also had this for about 8 or 10 weeks after my AVR. It will eventually go away. Couldn't tell you why, but I mentioned it to my surgeon at my post op check and they said it's all normal.
FYI -- I talked to my surgical PA today in San Francisco and was told to be as careful as possible in not overreaching to not stress my sternum. He read me the riot act on not being careful enough, not extending my arms behind me or above me, and protecting my sternum as much as possible.
It was sobering to say the least as I have not been very careful 🙃
Hello Chuckness,
Welcome to the forum, from just reading your bio it’s only a matter of a few weeks since your surgery, and that you are in the States.
Here before we have our surgery we are told no arms above your head no lifting anything heavier than half a kettle of water no pulling or pushing movements. This is for the 8-10 weeks so the sternum can heal.
We are also given breathing exercises and a coughing one by the physios in hospital that we should carry on doing at home. Remember our lungs collapse when we are on bypass so they need a bit of help getting all those little pockets filled out again.
Welcome to the Hearties family, wishing you a great recovery.
Best wishes Pauline
Thank you so much, Pauline. I so appreciate your post and have to admit I did get some of those instructions… However I tend to think I am superman and push myself too much.
I have now seen the light and I’m protecting my sternum in every way possible because the last thing I want is another operation to put me back together again.
Thanks also for your points about the lungs which I had not understood before. I’m learning my entire body is healing which is why I feel so fatigued.
With much appreciation, Chuck
Getting our stamina back is a long slow job, we have gone through major surgery and it’s been traumatic for our body as well as are brain, 4 weeks on and yours will still be saying what on earth happened here😂 I am 5 years on from Aortic valve replaced and bypass and am grateful every day to the medical team that gave me my life back.You will get there but not as quick as you think!
Pauline
I would just like to say how fabulous this forum is; here's me, sitting in the UK, talking about similar issues, turns out to be with someone in San Francisco! We're all the same, really.👍
Beatles, I couldn’t agree with you more. I have searched and searched and found nothing like this forum in the US and the sharing of caring among people in this group is such a comfort. Truly, we are all the same.
I had the same thing, in my case I hadn't considered that opening a car door was a major strain, all of my life I used one hand. Got a proper telling off from the nurse.
As a result my sternum took 10 weeks to settle.
As you are a American, it's about living in the 'tube' don't reach out and don't pick up anything that is heaver than 1 1.5 or 2 pounds in weight.
Take care and good luck with your recovery.
Thank you, Rojo23 — it is so helpful to hear your story and apply it to my situation. I had no idea that reaching up to grab a dish off the shelf caused my pack muscles to pull up my sternum. It is so helpful to be educated by wise healthcare professionals.
I really appreciate your sharing 💫💫
You also need to appreciate that it can take six months to a year to fully recover from open heart surgery. Immediately after my surgery and for a few months afterwards my levels of concentration and memory were awful, so much so that there wasn't any point trying to read a book cos I kept forgetting what I'd just read. Also your sense of taste can be off for a while, in my case I actually went off some biscuits I used to love! You may find you also get mood swings, these are perfectly normal. As it's still early days for you, make sure you don't overdo things and take naps if you need them. I went back to work after three months, office job, but on short days to start with and gradually increasing the hours over a few weeks. Most importantly, we're here if you need us.
Take care.
Wendy
Thank you Wendy!
I really appreciate your experience and I’ve been wondering about work. I have a work release from my doctor for three months but figured that meant I would go back to work much sooner. I’m starting to realize I may need a little longer before my energy returns.
I am also experiencing some of that brain fog. It is so good to hear what you experienced which helps me normalize what I’m going through 💞
You definitely don't want to rush back to work until you are well enough. Also speak to your employer about going back on ease back ie shorter hours. I found it very tiring initially but was back full time after about four weeks, but my employer wouldn't have minded if I'd needed longer. I think patients aren't always told what they could expect after surgery in terms of memory, concentration etc. It's things like that that the family need to know about too.
I hope your recovery continues to go well.
Wendy
Hi Wendy, I appreciate your advice about work however the thing is I am the guy in charge at work. Therefore I have to hold the tension between needing to help my nonprofit org thrive and my need to rest so I can thrive.
It’s a dance and I have the full support of my board and my staff so I feel very lucky. One of my motto’s is “go slow to go fast.” I will heed your advice as long as I can 🙏
Thanks again for your care and kindness!
Chuckness, you need a sec opinion!
My surgeon says the clicking sound means your sternum is Not healed and movement can cause wires to damage bone. You should be aware that infection could follow. Please get re-checked, or get another opinion. Bones cannot heal if they are Moving!Think abouta broken leg!
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