Aa
Heart surgey
Can anything be done to repair broken wires on the sternum after by-pass surgery
The wires are not to give any kind of permanent support, they were a temporary measure to keep the sternum aligned while natural healing took place, i.e. the sternum knitted back together. The way the bone fuses together again is a very strong bond, like when a bone is broken, it's actually stronger in the area than it was before. Wires can break years after surgery as the bone remodels itself, but should not be of any concern unless the it is sticking out, causing irritation or pain. An x-ray will give your Doctor a clear view if the wire is dangerous, you don't want your heart or a lung damaged. In most cases the breaks can be simply ignored. They can be surgically removed, but if there's no danger with the break, then there really is no need.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Heart Disease Community
Is a low-fat diet really that heart healthy after all? James D. Nicolantonio, PharmD, urges us to reconsider decades-long dietary guidelines.
Can depression and anxiety cause heart disease? Get the facts in this Missouri Medicine report.
Fish oil, folic acid, vitamin C. Find out if these supplements are heart-healthy or overhyped.
Learn what happens before, during and after a heart attack occurs.
What are the pros and cons of taking fish oil for heart health? Find out in this article from Missouri Medicine.
How to lower your heart attack risk.
