Broken Sternum Guide

A broken sternum, which refers to the breastbone, can occur for a number of reasons. Generally, this is as the result of some blunt trauma and there are several treatment options that may be considered. The severity of the break will determine which of the treatments is going to be most suitable. When you suffer a break in the sternum it can cause a lot of pain and difficulties – even coughing and breathing could become painful and challenging. This is why it is important to get it treated as early on as possible.

What are the symptoms of a broken sternum?

There are a number of symptoms and signs to look out for with a broken sternum. Some people find that they have difficulty breathing because it causes a lot of pain as well as other broken sternum complications. Similarly coughing and sneezing may cause pain. There may even be physical signs of the break such as an indentation that can be seen or felt. Touching the area also causes pain when you have broken your sternum. If you experience symptoms such as these after a blunt trauma, it is necessary to get your chest x-rayed.

How is a sternum break caused?

A break in the sternum is generally the result of blunt trauma, most commonly injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. This is because the steering wheel can go into your chest when you have a car accident and this then causes the injuries including a possible break. They can be caused in other ways such as suffering a severe blow from another object or a person but vehicle accidents are the most common cause of this type of injury.

How long will a broken sternum take to heal?

The healing time for a broken sterum will depend on the extent of the injury. In some cases, with minor cracks for example, the sternum may heal on its own over time. However, during this period you will need to have plenty of rest and avoid exerting yourself because this could make the damage worse. It can take several months for your sternum to recover. However, you can access treatments – in some cases free of charge – such as sternal fracture physiotherapy to help with exercises for the sternum. This can help to aid the recovery process. To find out more about getting free treatment following a sternum break, contact us today and we may be able to provide you with free treatment.

What free treatment can I qualify for?

While you may not be aware of it, you could actually be eligible for free treatment after breaking your sternum. The treatment options vary based on your location as well as on the extent of the damage. However, we can help by providing access to treatment such as free physiotherapy to many patients no matter what their location. If you would like to find out more about the treatment that we can offer, get in touch with us today.

Contact us to see if your qualify for free treatment for a broken sternum

We help many people with injuries such as a broken sternum to recover more quickly and easily through our expert advice and free treatment. No matter what part of the UK you live in, we can organise treatment locally so that you can benefit without having to travel far. If you would like more information and want to see whether you qualify for free treatment such as physiotherapy, all you need to do is get in touch. We will be happy to provide you with further details and check on your eligibility.