Sternum healing after open heart

[itsonlymoi]

I am a 41 year old female post-op of just over nine weeks open heart surgery to repair a large septal defect.  I had two minor strokes because of the defect (and was experience some other symptoms).   It was patched due to necrotic septum not able to hold sutures.  I am very healthy and active overall.  My question is in regards to my sternum.  The inferior aspect of my sternum is still very sore (internally).  The incision at this point isn't extremely red, but is wider and more colored than the rest of the incision.  I also can feel occasional clicking, and when taking deep breaths or in certain positions it feels as tho there is a pinching.  Neither my surgeon nor GP believe it's anything to worry about, nor feel I need a chest x-ray.  My surgeon is very thorough and used thick wires.  I know it generally takes 6-8 weeks for the sternum to heal, but would there be a reason for the lingering soreness in only this part of the sternum?  Am I just too impatient?  I see the surgeon again in June, and if still sore by then would you recommend I push for a chest x-ray?  I understand the downfalls of too many x-rays, so want to avoid another if possible, but want to heal properly too.
Thank you for your time.

[Douglas Bogart, MD]

The sternal area can be sore for up to one year after open heart surgery.  However if you hear or feel clicking it likely means there is some malunion of the sternum and I would show the clicking --reproduce it for the surgeon at the time of your appt.