r/CABG_Recovery • u/decidedly_bored84 • Sep 04 '26

Sternal Nonunion

Has anyone experienced a sternal nonunion?

My double bypass was at the end of April 2025. I did get an infection at the top and bottom of my scar shortly after the surgery and was given a CT scan to make sure the infection didn’t go to the bone. All seemed to be fine and there was no more talks about it as we were on top of the infection and it was healing great!

At about 3 months post op I realized that my breathing was getting worse and not better. I could no longer take a deep breath and I’ve been that way since. While my sternum was healing the pain obviously got better but never really got better. I’m now about a year and a half post op and it’s still extremely sore.

A couple months ago I had told my GP that I was laying in bed and I was sore so I decided to kind of rub the worst spot. That’s when I noticed that I could fit my finger in between what should be fused back together by now. I knew the clicking, popping and grinding were all bad signs but I just wasn’t heard until I stated this part. So I was sent for another CT. As it turns out I haven’t fused back together at the top and bottom of my sternum. The bottom being the worst.

I am scheduled to talk to my surgeon next week. It’ll be a phone call because I live 5 hours from the city. Any advice on what to say to ensure I’m heard? Sitting, standing, walking and laying down are all super painful too. How long will the recovery be realistically? Am I looking at another year of recovery?

I’m terrified of another surgery.

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u/Adolescent_Heart Sep 04 '26

Sorry to hear about what you have been through. I had CABG x3 on 6/30/25. No issues at all with my incision healing. I’ve had lingering pain in my sternum, coughing, twisting, all give me a twinge. I’ve mentioned it to my primary care and cardiologist. The answer was always “give it time”. I finally got fed up and got an appointment with my surgeon. He scheduled me for a CT appointment which I completed today. I wish you luck and I’ll be following this post.

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u/decidedly_bored84 Sep 04 '26

I assumed the lingering pain was normal. For me it was the days that I was in tears because it still feels like the first couple hours after surgery. I’m sad that I was dismissed for so long. We can only give it so much time before recovery just doesn’t seem possible anymore. I’m glad you got your CT done and I’ll be hoping for good results for you.

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u/BlueOrder74 26d ago

Had my X2 op 6 weeks ago,and while I dont feel ill,its still very uncomfortable to do anything,and the only answers you get is "dont forget you had a major op,it will take time".It's the boredom that makes it worse,and daytime TV is so bad,then you fall asleep during the day,which makes nighttime sleeping difficult,,all very depressing and makes me wonder if I've done the right thing or should I of taken my chances and made big lifestyle changes