Late sequelae of a sternal fracture

The consequences of a sternum fracture are sometimes noticed by the affected person for years, or even for life. Since the sternum occupies a central position in the upper body and is connected to the shoulder via the collarbone, every movement with the arms, shoulder or head arrives at this bone. The sternum is also in contact with the ribs, which move during breathing.

Affected persons often complain of years of pain when lifting moderately heavy objects or during certain arm movements. Depending on the profession, this has an effect on the ability to work. Since a sternum fracture is usually not fitted with a splint or cast and the fracture has to heal on its own, the bone rarely grows together less than optimally.

The patient notices this because he or she can feel a hump on the sternum. This is known as false joint (pseudoarthrosis). In most cases, however, this is harmless and does not require further therapy.

However, the thorax becomes less stable and the performance of the affected person is reduced depending on the extent of the problem. However, if the instability is too high or the patient suffers from unbearable pain, an operation must be considered in which the sternum is straightened and possibly stabilized by a plate. Late complications include injuries to other bones or organs. These include broken ribs, fractured vertebrae or damage to the lungs and heart. This may result in cardiac arrhythmia and breathing difficulties.

Sternal fracture in children

The child’s skeleton differs considerably from that of an adult. Since children are also often very physically active, this tends to lead to frequent bone fractures. Sternal fractures, however, are rather rare in children.

It is interesting to note that the cause of sternal fractures that occur in children is different from that of adults.If direct exposure to violence is the main cause of sternal fracture in adulthood, indirect exposure to violence is the most common cause of sternal fracture in children. Especially when the trunk of the child is bent strongly, a sternum fracture can occur. The symptoms of a sternal fracture of a child tend to be the same as those of adults.

It should be noted, however, that children sometimes have a much harder time localizing pain. The treatment of a sternal fracture in a child is usually conservative. Only if the two bone fragments are very different from each other is surgical intervention necessary.