Range of motion (ROM) exercises and lifting 1 to 3 pounds (0.45-1.36 kg) with the arms is permissible if there is no evidence of sternal instability, as detected by movement in the sternum, pain, cracking, or popping.

Jun 12, 2020 · Sternal non-union and instability. The sternum grows back together without complications in the majority of cases. Sternal wound complications such as deep sternal wound infections, superficial wound infections, sternal dehiscence, and non-union are present in 1% to 4% of patients after median sternotomy [3] which cause delayed healing and a ...

Jan 31, 2021 · Sternal nonunion is a term used to describe when the breastbone does not heal properly following heart surgery, which can cause a variety of symptoms. Reconstructive surgeon Dr. Michael Rose performs chest wall stabilization surgery in order to treat sternal non-union.

Sep 2, 2019 · Sternal instability can be described acutely as sternal dehiscence/disruption or chronically (>6 months postoperatively) as sternal nonunion. 18 Sternal separation can occur along the entire sternum or a limited portion (usually the caudal end) and is closely interlinked with sternal infection, which can result in sternal clicking, excessive ...

Oct 9, 2018 · Symptoms include fever, erythema, surgical site drainage, chest pain, sternal instability, and sternal dehiscence in severe cases [47–49]. Subsequently, imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis and differentiation of mediastinitis from …

DSWI with sternal instability. The combination of DSWI with sternal instability represents the most critical situation. Continuous movement (related to rupture or loosening of sternal wires) of the sternal edges leads to inflammation, effusion, and secondary infection.

Sternal instability is described as abnormal motion of the sternum due to bony fracture of the sternum, or disruption of the sternal wires inserted to re-attach the surgically divided sternum

The purpose of this paper is to discuss sternal instability a problem occasionally associated with midline sternotomy, including the etiology, predisposing conditions, diagnosis and management. Among the methods of repair, sternal weaving and pectoralis muscle advancement are thought to …

To promote normal healing and prevent sternal complications, patients typically receive a list of actions or activities to avoid. This set of activity restrictions is known as sternal precautions. Sternal instability, infection, and wound dehiscence are among the primary complications of median sternotomy.

The Sternal Instability Scale (SIS), a 4-point manual test was utilized to grade sternum stability from 0 (stable sternum with no detectable motion) to 3 (completely separated sternum with marked increase in motion of the sternal edges).