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Bony lumps on sternum

Posted , 4 users are following.

derek76
derek76

This is a repost of an old post of mine. 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 one place. Later I could feel several bony spurs on my sternum. Recently they have become bigger and although not actually painful I am aware of them. Even the water in the shower irritates them.

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

1 like, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Ally01381
    Ally01381 derek76

    Posted

    Yes I had a similar issue I asked for a second opinion I started walking 5 minutes a day I started drinking a glass of wate every day it helps
    • derek76
      derek76 Ally01381

      Posted

      How does the water help it ? I do actually drink quite  a lot of water.

      When I was getting my aortic valve replaced a man came in to have his wire removed. He perhaps had an advantage over me as he was the appointments manager at another hospital..

  • Scotgal
    Scotgal derek76

    Posted

    A friend of mine experienced a similar issue with wires after a CABG, it turned out he was a allergic to the nickel in the sternal wires.  He is bothered by it after all these years.  I'm allergic to nickel myself, so I know I don't ever want sternal wires, that's for sure.

    • derek76
      derek76 Scotgal

      Posted

      And my pacemaker will be nickel as well. I did not think before it was fitted to ask what the material was. They can slip them into a pigskin wallet.
  • jacqueline01135
    jacqueline01135 derek76

    Posted

    Probably the bits where you were sewn up, the "Wire " bit could be a clip that wants to escape, My sternum feels like the grand canyon,, had an appointment with a cardiac consultant, and was going to ask him to check on it, but Never got the chance, very short consultation .Maybe you should have an x ray ,at least it will put your mind at rest. 

    • derek76
      derek76 jacqueline01135

      Posted

      I have had CT, MRI scans and an X-Ray on my back for other problems that did not produce any comments on them although other things were noted. I also had several chest X-Rays when I had a pneumothorax after my pacemaker was fitted 
    • derek76
      derek76 jacqueline01135

      Posted

      I looked at a Youtube video of the sternum being wired up. I looked really brutal! The valve replacement looked a much kinder procedure. I know that they can be removed but it would seem difficult although wen I was there a patient had his removed in the morning and was soon off home.
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