Stiff chest: Sternomoty (sp?) 13 weeks... - British Heart Fou...

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Stiff chest

witchcraft profile image
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Sternomoty (sp?) 13 weeks ago to fix an aortic dissection. I, stupidly, fell over on some black ice last Saturday and since then my chest in various places has been really stiff almost sore. It does feel muscular or skeletal and is pretty much under control with paracetamol but I did wonder how long does it take to get fully fixed in the rib cage dept?

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witchcraft
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Chappychap profile image
Chappychap

"I did wonder how long does it take to get fully fixed in the rib cage dept?"

A long time, up to a year in some cases. The NHS advice is that we're good to think about returning to an office job after eight weeks, twelve weeks for heavier manual work. And during my Cardio Rehab course they said no press-ups until twelve weeks post operation, which tends to align with their advice regarding returning to a manual job.

The problem is that this type of advice almost suggests we're as good as new after twelve weeks, most of us will be "good enough" after twelve weeks, but that's not the same as fully healed.

Take it easy when the temperature drops, and good luck with your continued recovery!

Cliff_G profile image
Cliff_G in reply toChappychap

Agree, and also take into account that an aortic dissection is usually of an order of magnitude more serious than, say, a valve replacement, or bypass op.

There's a great support community of aortic dissection survivors on Facebook. Follow the links on aorticdissectionawareness.org

I hope it's continuing to mend. At about 3 months, like you, I had a fall and landed with my chest sideways across the edge of one of those moulded plastic chairs where the sides curve up and are totally rigid. Not great. Took a few more weeks to settle

witchcraft profile image
witchcraft in reply toCliff_G

Thanks Cliff, I’m already on there 😊

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