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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Fractured Sternum?
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Fractured Sternum?
by freebie, Jan 30, 2005 12:00AM
Hello,
My friend had a motor vehicle accident last year and had some x-rays done to see if she had a fractured sternum.
The results were "Fractures - Rib, Sternum, Larynx, Trachea - Sternum, Closed." What does this mean, as she was never told what the extent of her injury was.
Nowadays, she still complains that the sternum hurts occassionally and has back pain. What does this mean, that the sternum was not healed properly?
Thank you
Freebie
My friend had a motor vehicle accident last year and had some x-rays done to see if she had a fractured sternum.
The results were "Fractures - Rib, Sternum, Larynx, Trachea - Sternum, Closed." What does this mean, as she was never told what the extent of her injury was.
Nowadays, she still complains that the sternum hurts occassionally and has back pain. What does this mean, that the sternum was not healed properly?
Thank you
Freebie
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Feb 14, 2005 12:00AM
, Feb 14, 2005 12:00AM
"Closed” means that the fractured ends of bone did not penetrate the skin. Even a well-healed sternum can hurt for a very long time, even indefinitely. The occasional pain is a nuisance but is not necessarily a sign of less than optimum healing. Another chest x-ray, specifically of the sternum would answer that question. If it has not healed properly, surgical intervention with wiring might be indicated. However, such therapy should not be considered, simply on the basis of a chest x-ray. Severity of symptoms must be taken into account and the description provided suggests that the recurrent pain is mild and not at all disabling.
