Sternal Precautions

The sternum (breastbone) is separated during heart and lung surgeries. For the bone to heal well after surgery, certain restrictions must be followed.

Infants and Toddlers

It is important to not stop or get in the way of your baby’s normal growth and development. Babies are good at listening to their bodies and will stop movements that make them hurt. To help your baby’s breastbone heal well after surgery:

• Do not pick your baby up under their armpits or by their arms. Instead, scoop your baby to carry them by holding them under their head/neck and by supporting their bottom.

• Do not pull on your baby’s arms to get them to sit or stand.

• Limit them from pulling themselves up to stand.

• Do not put your baby in a bouncer, exersaucer, or jumper.

• Keep taking your baby to physical therapy (PT) if they were going before surgery or if it was recommended after surgery.

• Dressing your baby in clothing that has zippers or buttons up the front is recommended, instead of pulling a shirt overhead.
  

Make sure your child fits in their car seat safely. Do not leave a gap between their chest and the car seat strap.

Tummy time is safe and encouraged. It is okay for your baby to crawl.

These precautions will last 6 weeks from their surgery or until instructed by your doctor.

Children and Teenagers

It is important to remind your child about these restrictions to prevent a fall or injury during the healing stage. These precautions will last 6 weeks from their surgery or until instructed by your doctor.

During this time, your child will need to avoid:

• Any activity that may cause a fall like running, climbing, skiing, sledding, bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards, or scooters

• Activities that require overhead reaching, and overusing arms and shoulders

• Activities that require twisting or deep bending

• Lifting more than 10 pounds (about the weight of a gallon of milk)

• Wearing backpacks

• Physical education or contact sports until cleared by your cardiologist

• Swimming, until cleared by your surgery team

• Driving, if they are old enough.

• Riding in the front seat because of the risk of airbags
  

You should dress your child in shirts that zip or button up. For teenagers needing breast support, sports bras can help prevent pulling on the wound and bone.

It is common for kids to want to be very active as they heal from surgery, but it is very important to remind your child about these restrictions and keep their environment safe. The goal is to prevent re-injuring the breastbone.

Call your child’s surgery team if you notice any popping or clicking sounds from your breastbone.

Adults

While healing from your surgery, you must avoid:

• Driving for 4 weeks after surgery and while you’re on opioid pain medicine.

• Riding in the front seat because of the risk of airbags.

• Lifting more than 10 pounds (about the weight of a gallon of milk).

• Pushing or pulling with your arms.

• Lifting your arms over your head.

• Reaching too far across your body.

• Things that involve twisting and heavy lifting. Some examples are shoveling snow, fishing, hunting, lawn mowing, running, tennis, golfing, bowling, vacuuming, sweeping, and doing laundry.
  

Recovering from your surgery can be hard and you may feel like you’re ready to do more activity, but it is important to let your breastbone heal fully to prevent a complication.

It is important for you to:

• Walk at least 4 times a day for exercise

• Have items you need throughout the day in easy to reach locations

• Listen to your body and allow time for rest between activities
  

You may find it comforting to hug a pillow while coughing or sneezing, and while getting up to stand to support your chest and to avoid using your arms.

It is recommended to wear shirts that zip or button up. Sports bras can help support your breasts and prevent them from pulling on your healing wound and bone.

Call your surgery team if you notice any popping or clicking sounds from your breastbone.

These precautions will last 8 weeks from your surgery or until specified by your doctor.