Can i break my sternum

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Top of the page. Your Care Instructions The sternum is a long, flat bone in the centre of the chest. How can you care for yourself at home? Take pain medicines exactly as directed. If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed. More useful is a specific type of x-ray called a lateral sternal view. If the injury is subtle occasionally a chest wall ultrasound may demonstrate a sternal fracture and associated bruising haematoma as well as identifying internal problems such as fluid around the heart tamponade.

The most sensitive radiological investigation is a Chest CT scan. This allows the severity of the sternal injury to be clearly seen as well as identifying any other chest related injuries such as haematoma behind the breastbone, fluid around the heart, lung bruising or contusions and other associated injuries. Video of a Chest CT scan taken from the side sagittal demonstrating a displaced fracture through the body of the sternum. Sternal injuries vary significantly from a minor injury with associated pain, tenderness and bruising to severe sternal fracture.

The type of injury and what happened is often the most useful guide to severity of sternal injury. One specific type of sternal injury is an acceleration-deceleration type of car accident in a seat-belted occupant either directly from a direct blow to the sternum or indirectly. As with the classification of rib fractures, sternal fractures are based on the appearance on Chest CT scan.

They are described typically as:. Simple: Usually a single fracture either partially or completely through the sternum, which is not displaced dislodged or angulated. Chest CT showing an un-displaced sternal fracture albeit in two places blue ring. Complex: Usually single occasionally multiple and displaced where the broken ends are misaligned or overlapping with an associated step lump on the front of the chest. Chest CT showing a displaced sternal fracture.

The fracture is through the Manubriosternal junction and area of nature weakness of the sternum. Pain: Immediate acute and can be severe over the area and is sore to touch and worse on certain movements.

After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor immediately if you develop a fever, feel short of breath, or start coughing up yellow, green, or bloody phlegm. The most common short-term complication is chest pain, which can last anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks.

This pain will likely prevent you from coughing. When you resist coughing, you fail to clear your natural lung secretions, which can result in a chest infection. In the long term, you will run into complications if the sternum fails to heal properly. This can be painful and may require surgery to correct.

Older adults, those with osteoporosis or diabetes, and those on steroids are more likely to develop pseudarthrosis. Do what you can to avoid a lung infection and to avoid other complications.

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