I've just been told the same thing. I started complaining that chest pain not improved 7 weeks post CABG op. MRI scan shows sternum has healed itself into two completely separate halves. Surgeon said fibrous tissues should form to help bond sternum within 12 months. Otherwise no chance of sternum healing now and I have been told to get on with it. In he meantime I have been prescribed Voltarol to replace dihydrocodeine which was causing severe constipation. I am considering seeking compensation. Anyone else thinking the same?
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I don't know if it's common but I too had bypass surgery in 2012 , that lead to a nonunion sternum in witch I contacted mercer,a form of staph infection.they then cut my pectoral muscles and folded them over my chest. I been out of the hospital since oct of 2013. . I still have pain when coughing ,hiccuping and popping of my chest. My suggestion is to keep complaint to docs in case the sternum breaks. This is why they used the muscle flaps on me . To hold my chest together. God less you and know you are not alone.
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You still have a sternum though right ? if you want to chat with others google sternectomy support
Greg
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My step-father had heart bypass about 4 weeks ago now... he too is dealing with the chest clicking and popping which causes him concern as it does it all day whenever there is a change of position. I appreciate all of the posts that explain others are dealing with similar issues due to the sternum binding (wires supposedly?) coming loose.. ugh. The last thing any heart patient wants to deal with after nearly recovering form the invasive surgery is have it REDONE! With the money spent on medical devices and procedures, how in the world don't they know to use strong enough wire / device to SECURE the bones so they can fuse properly. It is very frustrating to understand how this could continue to happen to so many people. Luckily, he is not suffering from the shoulder pain or finger numbness that so many others explain they have but I fear that going back to fix the "wiring" could easily result in more problems.
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Hi there, fellow zipperhead. I have the same problem after my 4x bypass in 2013. Still in recovery 2 weeks after surgery I turned to sleep on my side and I felt the pop and it was broken. I have procrastinated to have the reconstruction done. The plastic surgeon explained to me that a hinged titanium plate would be attached. Sounds great but I didn't have the time yet. Also try to find in your neighbor hood a group called" Mended Hearts". I'm Vice President of our local chapter and this group will help you with any questions you have. All members are heart surgery patients or former patients. You can find them online. Good luck and don't worry
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My name is Rajesh I had open heart surgery one and half year ago and since my surgery I was complaining to my surgeon about my sternum pain and the movement of my sternum and every time he said that everything is fine and it will be o.k. After some time and now here I am after one and half year and find out that when the surgeon close the sternum he never align it and because of that my sternum did not heal properly, so I am going to see illegal help from the lawyer because my surgeon Meade mistake when he close my sternum together and second he was lying to me that everything is fine. Please let me know what you have done so far
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I had a triple bypass and had alot of infections, chest infections, tooth infection to the point my entire right side of my face was one giant puss pocket, and I had a large puss pocket in my groin. I kept calling the surgeons office but not once did they return one phone call. I saw the dentist and they gave me a 10 day supply of clindimiacin. I took it all and it did nothing, I saw my cardiologist and he wasn't interested in giving me anything. Finally I saw my GP and she gave me a script for 10 days of augmenton 870 mg, and that finally kicked it. Unfortunately, I coughed so much and so hard (ouch) for so long that now my sternum has not healed. It hurts to breath let alone do anything else. It was all started by my brother that had the flu and didn't tell anyone. He came with my father to visit me every day till the flu hit him so hard he couldn't get out of bed. So be vigilant about who comes to see you.
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Had surgery November . Left the hospital in pain. My chest was moving independently and I felt a loud and scary thud every time I rolled out of bed. Also has the clicking sound all the time . They told me it would heal but only got worse. Just had a new procedure in the university of penn . Feel great very little movement if any. Three weeks so far so good.
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I had the same problem and had the talon put in. They used three talons and I am three weeks out of the hospital and I feel so different. No movement and now very little pain. Starting to decrease pain killers and looking forward to planing golf again. I would not wait to get it fixed. My valve repair and bypass went great and now my chest is catching up to the healing process. Please go and have it fixed .
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I am a 61 y/o man, who had a double bypass on Memorial day 2013. No heart issues prior, and even a clear bill of health about 3 months prior to my surgery (I had a CT angio test with contrast) I have a 0.08 cm gap in my sternum, (confirmed by CT) which I think is getting worse. I never could feel a gap in my chest before, but now I have a gap or depression basically from the notch in my sternum at the top, pretty much the entire length of the sternum. My scar sucks, compared to others I have seen. The whole process from start to finish has just sucked Also, I have some sort of knot at the bottom of my sternum. don't have severe pain...yet, but I do have some twinges of pain, but I have been resisting anything strenuous just in case, but at some point something will come up and I will have to test the strength of the sternum. However, I do feel that it is causing other problems such as, breathing problems/coughing, which of course cause me sleep problems, because I am constantly tossing and turning to get comfortable. I feel it move and click all the time. I am at a loss what to do. Since I hater the whole surgery/hospital scene, I am a little reluctant to be cracked open again, but I feel something will have to be done at some point. I get so frustrated with my whole experience sometimes, I feel I want to slap my surgeon with a lawsuit, and I don't even know if this situation would be considered malpractice. All I can say is, I have felt much worse off physically, since my CABG than before, and I know even though I may have died without the surgery, I can tell you I know for sure in the long run, my life has been shortened, and the quality is no where near what it was before. Any words of wisdom out there?
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Same pal. 7 Only almost two years out and all wires broken and staying and like you I have no idea why these wires seem to be ok to break with no recourse like simply a (no charge)
for the surgeon to repair or remove. My sternum is completely separated and I cannot sleep or do much of anything without being stabbed particualy in my user right chest area. I have read that others have this same stabbing with a normal sternum healing!
For years and years this has been a problem for many others with broken wire but for years and years it goes without a 7 more livable solution. It's a obvious BS situation as my surgeon for example even states right out "it's not my fault", basically this happens now and then, sorry.
Seems very clear he knows there will be no lawsuits, repair and remove is optional, not his fault, not the wire manufacturer no ones fault not even my own? Tell me who is at fault or is this to be considered to be expected after heart surgery and further more no warnings of this 2 BS before hand, no options, no nothing just surprise, your life is restored however you will be expected to suffer for the rest of it and never know either if all these other symptoms of no energy, numbness, to 2 dreaming your being attacked by that guy with knifes for hands. ? Lawyer? I found one case that I think was on this target that was won. 2 Bottom line, at the very least I should be able to be compensated because I cant even afford to to have this repaired an1d I'm sure the insu8rance I have a hmo1 will not be 1accepted. Conclusion4 bingo!, were screwed, literally. RGL P.S. Numbers mean allot!
for the surgeon to repair or remove. My sternum is completely separated and I cannot sleep or do much of anything without being stabbed particualy in my user right chest area. I have read that others have this same stabbing with a normal sternum healing!
For years and years this has been a problem for many others with broken wire but for years and years it goes without a 7 more livable solution. It's a obvious BS situation as my surgeon for example even states right out "it's not my fault", basically this happens now and then, sorry.
Seems very clear he knows there will be no lawsuits, repair and remove is optional, not his fault, not the wire manufacturer no ones fault not even my own? Tell me who is at fault or is this to be considered to be expected after heart surgery and further more no warnings of this 2 BS before hand, no options, no nothing just surprise, your life is restored however you will be expected to suffer for the rest of it and never know either if all these other symptoms of no energy, numbness, to 2 dreaming your being attacked by that guy with knifes for hands. ? Lawyer? I found one case that I think was on this target that was won. 2 Bottom line, at the very least I should be able to be compensated because I cant even afford to to have this repaired an1d I'm sure the insu8rance I have a hmo1 will not be 1accepted. Conclusion4 bingo!, were screwed, literally. RGL P.S. Numbers mean allot!
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what was the procedure ?? I wonder if its done here I get better answers with my doctors when I have names of things
thank you
thank you
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Your sternam wires are broke and they can be fixed. I just had mine fixed on 3-14-17. They opened me back up and redid my whole wires.IM 6 days out and can tell they are fixed. Pain was worse this time. My bone was not healed either. Had not gone back together. Hopefully I'm on my way now. Had my surgery 1-4-17. Thank God I'm now on my way to healing
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hi I had open heart surgery 13 weeks ago and felt I was heeling well. Until 3 days ago I turned in bed and there was a loud crack or pop sound now I am in pain from middle of chest to the left side and the skin on very sensitive to the touch. Each day this is getting worse swallowing is getting more difficult have I snapped the wiresame.
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