Osteomyelitis of sternum

Has anyone had this diagnosed after coronary artery bypass surgery? I had surgery in August, have had sternal pain since and after an xray last week, all of a sudden they want a cat scan and say they don't like what they saw. The term osteomyelitis was tossed out. I just wondered how frequently this occurs and treatment.
I read an earlier post about someone whose surgeon told him he would have pain for quite sometime after the surgery. I wasn't so lucky. I watched a video as part of the pre-op teaching and all the patients were in their 70s, smiling and saying they only experienced mild discomfort postop. I was 53 when I had the surgery-no heart attack, no symptoms, no family history-just a coincidence they found three blocked arteries. I worked out vigorously four times a week prior to the surgery. Now I have started a milder exercise program but almost everything but walking increases the pain. I do work so am not bedridden!!! I just would like to have the pain go away and am hoping antibiotics will take care of the osteomyelitis if thats what is causing this.
Thanks.
Any info would be appreciated.


This discussion is related to Sternum pain after By-pass Surgery.

[Archibald S Miller III, MD,FACS]

I am Dr. Arch S. Miller. I am on the reconstructive forum. Many times the sternal pains you describe can be caused by unstable sternums caused by wires breaking, stretching or unraveling. There is a novel new way of fixing this . About 60 physicians in the US do this and I am very interested in it. Your problem is very common and if you will go to the web site rapidsternalclosure.com you will see this technique. If you call 918-492-2282 we can give you further information, respectfully,
                 arch s miller md facs