Sternum scar pains, sensitivity and discharge

[McWine]

I had a triple heart bypass and new aortic valve in 2014. By 2016 the sternum wound developed keloid scarring which is crude and ugly and I suffered constant sharp pains. Since then, I have attended various clinics - Thoracic, Allergy, Pain, Plastic Surgery, Dermatology, Radiology, Skin, Cardiology and GP because the wound has become inflamed and discharged blood and body fluid with occasional puss for 24 hours a day. I have had to change dressings daily, sometimes two or even three times a day. My clothes and bed sheets have at times suffered from the eruption of my wound too as I encountered a dressing overload. Maybe one week in four, the wound seems to heal over, before the routine of inflammation commences yet again, develops a sinus which erupts under pressure; and so the cycle begins again

The heart aspect of my 2014 operation has been successful and seems happily ticking over as required

Nobody has taken ownership or management of this problem and so my life of pain, discomfort and extreme sensitivity continues daily. I'm at my wit's after six and a half years constant angst.

Has anyone else suffered similar medical symptoms, found the cause and cure? Any helpful comment would be greatly appreciated.

Mike

[Hidden]

Hello Mike

I am so sorry what you are going through and that know one seems to be doing anything about it which really surprises me

I had a triple heart Bypass and my scar just got a little infected right at the bottom and I had to have it treated a few weeks and that was bad enough so reading your post I cannot even imagine how you are coping

I wished I could wave a magic wand and make this better for you and I wished I knew where to tell you to go to get this put right I am still in disbelief you are been left like this

All I can say is keep pushing your Doctor show them pictures of your bedding they must have seen your scar and tell them this has gone on long enough and now something needs to be done

I am not sure if the BHF Nurses would have any advice for you but I will put their number on and you can give them a ring they could sign post you where to go to get help

Please let is know how you get on x

Heart Helpline team on 0300 330 3311 Mon-Fri 9-5pm

[Anon2023]

Hi. I suffer from very slow wound healing so I appreciate how difficult this must be for you. Is there a wound clinic at the hospital that carried out your sternotomy? I had an infection after my first sternotomy and when I rang the surgeons secretary for advice she directed me to the wound clinic at the hospital. I was able to self refer. It might be worth checking. I was treated by my having the wound packed with aquacel and other specialist dressings. It took a few months but they had access to treatments that managed to eventually resolve the problem.

I also had surgery in 2003 and contracted an infection. After being treated in hospital I was then treated by a wound nurse at my doctors surgery. She used silver and honey dressings and after a while they worked. I think wound management is a specialist area of practice but there should be a community service that your gp can direct you to. I really hope that you get sorted as it’s awful living with wounds that are not healing well. Best wishes.

[VelvetSky]

Hi, so sorry you’ve still got this problem. I had a groin wound that would not heal like yours. I kept going back having dressings etc. I then saw one of the old time nurses who said she was tired of me keep going back and complaining and said let’s have a really in-depth look at the wound, big lights and a magnifying glass. She found about a two inch piece of what looked like thin string, presume used for stitching deeply inbedded in the wound, which was trying to heal over it. Once she managed to remove that the wound healed. Yet several people had looked and missed it. So sometime the simple things are the answer. I do hope you can get some solution, it’s a miserable problem.

[Larneybuds]

Hi Mike.....sorry to hear this. Sounds challenging. I am still in hospital after my OH surgery and have picked up an infection so my stay has been lengthened somewhat. Along with that, my scar that was healing beautifully now has about an inch section where the infection has colonized and it is very mucky. They have been using the most amazing pressure dressings that have a small battery pump attached and I think it basically draws the muck out of it. Already after just a few days there is a big difference and what was coming out of it has lessened somewhat. Might be worth enquiring about. I am no doctor or nurse....just letting you know how they tackled mine early on and it's working. I really hope you get sorted . Perhaps BHF nurses worth a call as had been suggested. Good luck and I hope this discomfort goes away for you. Take care x

[Hidden]

Hello sorry to hear that whilst heart issue resolved, you’re suffering from an added problem. Can’t think of anything but would a nutritionist be of any use if you’ve exhausted all other options? Perhaps a look at your current diet or possible supplements that might help with healing ( vitamin e, a and c and zinc comes up on search)? Worth a try? Good luck and hope you find some relief.