I had open heart surgery at the end of 2008 with good healing and I’m generally healthy 50 year old male. In the past few weeks, I have started to have soreness in my upper sternum that feels like a muscle pull when I move around. It is getting more pronounced. I’m going to make an appointment with my doctor to get this checked out, but I’m wondering if anyone here has any suggestions on what it might be. The area is not read or swollen, it just feels sore, like it did during recovery, but more localized.
Stitch abscess? Sternum coming apart? Just seeking ideas. Will see doctor.
I’ve had this in the same location, and it turned out to be a slightly torn cartilage that connects one of the ribs to the sternum. I’ve also had it in the back, where the ribs meet the spinal column. That one was worse, because it hurt every time I inhaled. It’ll heal on its own.
Huh. I am experiencing almost the same as the OP. CABG five years ago, and now I am feeling as if I had been kicked by a horse in my side. The pain seems to radiate to the sternum.
This came on suddenly last Sunday morning. I thought I had been sleep-walking and fell on something, but there is are marks or bruise on the skin, even though it feels bad enough to have a big bruise.
Thanks for the responses. I’m going to make a doctor’s appointment in the next hour or two, probably for later in the week or next week. But just hearing that I’m not alone is most reassuring. It’s probably a pulled muscle and harmless.
Could be a few things
1: The sternum is surrounded cartilage where the ribs connect. You may have a slight separation there. This would cause pain on movement.
2: Post surgical scar tissue: You may have torn some scar tissue, calcium deposits or a bone spur.
3: Although highly unlikely because of your symptomology presentation, a touch of pleurisy. An infection in the pleura section of the lungs. Movement would cause pain, but also insipiration. It would almost feel grainy.
4: Muscle strain
You seem to indicate pain on movement. Do you also have pain on pressure? Feel around with your fingertips. If you press a bit, does that cause pain?
No, pressing does not cause extra pain. I doubt it is pleurisy because it is so high on the chest and close to the surface. It is in all probability some kind of pull or tear. However since my endocarditis diagnosis, I’ve been paranoid about all possible infections. I’ve got an appointment for tomorrow afternoon with my doctor. She takes her time and listens and examines. She is the one who caught the endocarditis and took all appropriate steps (immediate blood samples of prodigious quantity right in the office on first suspicion).
I’m not worried about a strain or separation, but anything that might cause an infection.
That’s what the thread is for brother/sister. Do make an appointment with your doctor. I’m always among the first to say that we don’t give medical advice on the SDMB, there is no substitute for a qualified examination in person with a doctor. I’m just a worrier for myself, and will see the doctor. You do too please.