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Sternum healing after surgery/ how long the pain lasts
How long does it take for the pain to subside from open heart surgery. It is 8 weeks since I had a surgery for aneurysm repair and still have soreness and mild pain.
Pain is not continuous to impact my activities. I feel it as soon as I get out of bed and at times randomly. Just want to get a feel of the average time it takes to heal.
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It has been 4 months since my surgery and I still have occasional sternum pain. Nothing debilitating, just an annoying. If I roll on to my side while I am sleeping I will have some pain in the morning. Also if I do any activity that requires a lot of reaching with my arms I will have some pain. My cardiologist said it could take 6 months or more for the sternum to fully heal.
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1 ReactionMaybe I'm an exception. I had bypass surgery last year and never had any pain whatsoever. No meds either. I'm 85 and the slight scar is the only reminder of the surgery. Hardly ever used the 'hug-a-pillow' except for occasional coughs. Running again - life is good. Note: Somehow my repaired sternum resulted in two pieces, with a sharp depression separating the two . .
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2 ReactionsThanks, good to know and my situation is similar to what you described
Good to know and happy that to note that you did not experience any pain.
Did anyone have trouble breathing while in the ICU or have an afib episode from excessive coughing?
Not for me. Breathing was normal and coughing was not excessive and was there for few days as it was getting flushed out. Followed the usual routine of hug pillow to caugh.