rib pain after open heart surgery

[jam1112]

I had open heart surgery this last march. I have pain in the ribs under my arms. Is this from having my chest spread open? It only hurts when I try to lay on my side. I have the pain on both sides of my chest.


This discussion is related to rib cage won't mend after heart surgery.

[Archibald S Miller III, MD,FACS]

I am Dr. Arch Miller and I am on the reconstructive forum. You may be experiencing some instability of your sternum. You should talk to your local physician and check to see if this problem exists. If it does, go to the wdeb site rapidsternalclosure.com and you can seea way to fix that problem. The only way to completely evaluate your problem will be to get a 3D CT scan and that will evaluate your sternum and the wires used to close it. I hope this helps you, respectfully,

                       arch s miller ms md facs

[jam1112]

This Rapidsternalclosure can it be done after surgery? My open heart was done in April of this year. The pain is most unbearable. I would consider having this done if possible. What do you think?

[ashwani777]

I had a open heart surgery 5 weeks ago. Contact of cloth to the stiching are in chest is not tolerable at all. I have to hold my shirt every time.  Pl guide.

[MarkDuane]

I had a quintuple bypass 2 years ago at age 49. I still get twinges of pain in areas under the ribs, especially after an exercise routine such as an exerting walk on the treadmill. To the best of my knowledge, due to the surgery - the nerves and tissue will never be quite like before such a surgery. It will most likely be something I live with for now on. The difficult thing is that once you've experienced any serious heart related trauma, you become very sensitive to any unusual pain or discomfort in the chest area, which for me always produces a slight sense of alarm.

Mark

[roscoeB]

I had a triple bypass in April, '09. I could not wear a shirt until 10 weeks after surgery. It does go away so hang in there