Re: Sternum

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on December 16, 1998 at 20:12:33:

In Reply to: Sternum posted by Cheri Homaee on December 16, 1998 at 13:42:11:






I have open heart surgery to correct a small hole in my heart (a year ago).  They operated through a small hole in my cartiledge.  How long does it take for this to grow back.  I just had xrays of my chest and they say that I have a small separation from my sternum.  Is this dangerous?
Thank you
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Dear Cheri,
Thank you for your question.  Cartilage is very slow growing and may take months to years to completely grow back.  There is no danger from this in the meantime.
I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.  Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.  The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.