Boney growths on sternum after surgery

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I had my aortic valve replaced in May 2012. From the start I have felt a sharp piece of wire just under the skin in a couple of places. Later I could feel several bony spurs on my sternum.They have become bigger with time and although not actually painful unless touched I am aware of them and around them itches. 

Just buttoning my shirt is enough to be aware of them and if my wife's arm goes over my chest in bed it is painful.  

Anyone else have them and how much did they grow or cause a problem. Googling also suggests that they could be calcium deposits.

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2 Replies

  • Posted

    I know a gentleman who had sternum wires after surgery, and he developed an

    allergy to them, but the surgeons who did the procedure said that's not possible,

    I say, "why not"f?  I have talked to other people over the years who have also

    had issues with the wires months later, lets face it , some people are probably 

    more sensitive to the wires than other people are.  I certainly hope I'm not one 

    of them, because if I'm told I can't have a transcath closure procedure for my

    CHD, then I was told open heart surgery would be my only option.  I do not want

    to experience what you're going through, but I also don't want to die prematurely

    either.

    • Posted

      I'm sure you won’t die prematurely. The porter wheeling me down to the operating theatre said that I was the calmest patient he had ever had. It is like getting on a plane you put your trust in the pilot, the crew and the engineers.

      The very worst part is when they get you out of bed on the second day. Two physios  walked me down the long corridor and up two flights of stairs and back again. There were three chairs on the way to let you rest. It took me half and hour to get my breath back and cool down.

      When I was there a Guy came in to have his wires removed as they were causing a problem. He perhaps had an advantage over me as he was the admissions manager at another hospital. He came in during the morning and was away by mid afternoon. I asked at my first check up after my operation in 2012 about getting them removed. He was Greek and quoted Hippocrates  on not doing anything unnecessary that might harm the patient.

       

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