A broken sternum is a painful injury that can have serious effects on your health. The sternum is the flat bone at the front of the rib cage that protects your lungs and heart. A sternal fracture can leave these vital organs vulnerable and increase risk factors for complications.
If you or a loved one suffered a broken sternum in an accident, it’s important to understand the causes, symptoms, treatments, and legal considerations of this injury. You may qualify to recover compensation if another person’s negligence led to the accident. Here’s what you need to know.
Causes of Broken Sternum
A broken sternum is most commonly caused by blunt chest trauma or a sudden impact on the chest wall. Examples of traumatic events that can lead to a broken sternum include:
- Seatbelt injuries due to car crashes
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Slip and fall accident
- Accidents during high-impact sports
- Physical attacks or assault
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
There are medical conditions that can also put you at a higher risk of suffering a sternal fracture, such as:
Individuals with these conditions have weakened or compromised bones that can break more easily. If they fall or are involved in a motor vehicle accident, they are more at risk for a broken sternum and related complications.
Symptoms of Broken Sternum
Due to its central location in the chest, the sternum shifts with the rib cage when you move and breathe. When you have a sternal fracture, simple movements can cause intense discomfort and difficulty. The most common broken sternum symptoms include:
Chest Pain
Several muscles connect to the sternum in the chest. If these muscles pull on a broken or fractured sternum, it can lead to sharp chest pain when you:
- Cough or sneeze
- Laugh
- Lift objects
- Move your arms
- Twist or arch the back
This pain or tenderness may also become more intense when you’re lying down or applying pressure to the area.
Difficulty Breathing
Taking deep breaths is challenging with a broken sternum. Even normal breathing can be uncomfortable if the breastbone fracture is severe. In fact, about one in every five individuals with a broken sternum experience shortness of breath.
Bruising and Swelling
Another common symptom of a broken sternum is bruising and swelling in the chest area. These typically occur when the sternal fracture is caused by trauma or a sudden blow to the chest. While bruising and swelling will subside as the sternum heals, they often appear soon after the injury occurs.
Chest Deformity
In some cases, you may even see a bend or displacement in the breastbone that presents as a slight deformity in the chest. Severe sternal fractures will have a more obvious protrusion or lump in the front of the chest.
Diagnostic Procedures
If you experience broken sternum symptoms after an accident or fall, it’s crucial to see a medical professional for a diagnosis right away. Leaving a broken sternum untreated can lead to severe pain and serious medical conditions.
Depending on your medical needs and the severity of the injury, here are ways your doctor can diagnose a broken sternum:
- Physical examination: Your doctor will conduct a physical exam, observing and feeling the chest area for pain, swelling, bruising, and protrusions. If they suspect your breastbone is broken, they will need to conduct imaging tests to see the extent of the fracture.
- X-rays: A lateral or anteroposterior chest X-ray is a standard way to diagnose a broken sternum and other chest injuries, including rib fractures, a broken collarbone injury, and pulmonary contusion.
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan: In some circumstances, a doctor needs a more detailed image than an X-ray can provide. A CT scan allows for more sensitive imagining and a clearer view of the injury. This can be crucial when determining if the sternal fracture caused other internal damage.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan: Because some patients are sensitive to the levels of radiation used in X-rays and CT scans, an MRI is another imaging test doctors can use to diagnose a sternum fracture. For example, a physician may recommend an MRI for pregnant women to avoid radiation exposure.
Treatment Options for a Broken Sternum
After a medical professional diagnoses a broken sternum, there are different treatments available to support your recovery and prevent complications. Your broken sternum treatment may include the following:
Initial Medical Assessment
If you go to the emergency room after an accident, there will be an initial medical assessment to gauge the severity of your sternum fracture. It’s possible to experience shock and an adrenaline surge after an accident, masking the pain and making it difficult to determine the extent of your injuries.
With this in mind, you must get medical attention right away. Even if you feel fine at the time, it’s possible that you’re more injured than you realize. A full medical assessment can help doctors understand your injury, order more testing for an accurate diagnosis, and start treatment right away.
Non-Surgical Treatments
For many people, a broken sternum will heal on its own over time. However, your doctor will provide instructions on how to manage your pain and promote the healing process, such as:
- Applying ice or a cold pack to the area every few hours
- Taking over-the-counter pain medication, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
- Coughing and taking a deep breath regularly to clear your lungs
- Resting and avoiding strenuous activities that can worsen the fracture
- Doing light activities to keep your lungs clear and promote circulation
- Following up with their physician to monitor healing progress
Surgical Interventions
When a sternal fracture is severe or unstable, surgical treatment may be necessary. For example, a patient with a broken breastbone that is displaced and causing ongoing pain may benefit from a surgical fix. Others with an increased risk of complications or severely restricted movement may also choose surgical treatment.
Types of surgical interventions for a broken sternum include:
- Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO)
- Titanium plate and screws to hold the bone in place
- Abnormal bone excision
- Surgical treatment for pseudarthrosis
Rehabilitation and Recovery After a Broken Sternum
Depending on your injury and the recommended course of treatment, your broken sternum recovery time can be anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. However, some individuals suffer from chronic chest pain and related health issues for much longer. This is why it’s essential to work with medical professionals as you recover.
Your doctor will give you care instructions and tips on how to reach the best outcome after a sternum injury. Your rehabilitation will likely involve:
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is vital to manage pain, improve your range of motion, and increase your stamina after a sternum fracture. Common exercises and activities are:
- Deep breathing exercises
- Stretching exercises to prevent stiffness
- Slow and controlled arm and shoulder movements
- Gradual strength training to rebuild chest muscles
- Massage or manual therapy for pain and circulation
- Hot and cold therapy to reduce inflammation
Rest and Activity Modification
You will also need to rest and modify daily activities to prevent straining or worsening the injury. This may involve avoiding certain motions, moving more slowly, and focusing on your posture when doing activities. Rest is also essential to allow the body to heal properly.
Potential Complications of a Broken Sternum
Can a broken sternum kill you? Unfortunately, a broken sternum can be more complex than just a simple fracture. It may also lead to serious complications that affect your overall health. In some cases, these complications can become fatal without the proper treatment. Common complications of a fractured sternum include:
Pneumothorax
When the sternum breaks, the displacement may allow air to enter the space between the chest wall and the lungs. This is called a pneumothorax. As the air pushes on the lungs, it can eventually cause them to collapse, making it difficult or impossible to breathe without intervention.
Injury to Surrounding Organs
A broken sternum can cause injuries to the lungs, heart, and other surrounding organs. The trauma that caused the sternum to fracture may also bruise the organs or tissues under the rib cage. In more severe injuries, a person can experience tamponade, which is a buildup of blood around the heart, or a contusion, which is serious bruising of the heart.
Chest Infection
People who have a broken sternum often avoid coughing or taking deep breaths because these actions can be painful. However, this can cause fluids or secretions to build up in the lungs, eventually leading to a chest infection.
Chronic Pain
If your broken sternum does not heal correctly, you may experience ongoing pain during specific movements or activities. While this pain is often felt in the chest, it can extend to the shoulders, arms, and back.
The Legal Aspects of Car Accidents Causing Broken Sternum
A broken sternum is most often connected to motor vehicle accidents. When you suffer this type of injury in a car crash caused by another person’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, suffering, and other losses.
Determining Liability
The first step is to determine who was responsible for the car accident and to gather evidence that proves all the elements of negligence, including:
- Duty: First, you must prove that the person had a duty of care to you. For example, all drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles safely and follow the rules of the road.
- Breach of duty: Next, there must be evidence that shows the driver failed in their duty. Driving distracted or running a red light are examples of a breach of duty.
- Causation: There needs to be a connection between the driver’s breach of duty and the car accident. In other words, their failure to fulfill their duty to drive safely led to your car crash.
- Damages: Lastly, you need to show that the accident led to damages, such as medical expenses.
Calculating Damages
Identifying and calculating the value of your damages will help you seek the maximum compensation for a legal claim. A broken sternum can lead to significant damages for car accident victims, including:
- Medical bills
- Cost of future medical care and rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Seeking Legal Advice
Car accident claims can be complex and overwhelming for victims dealing with a broken sternum injury. While you are facing a long and painful recovery, insurance adjusters may unfairly deny your claim or try to minimize your losses.
Working with a legal professional can protect you from unfair treatment and help you claim the full value of your damages. Speak with an experienced bone fracture lawyer to learn more about your rights.
Broken Sternum FAQs
How Serious Is a Broken Sternum?
A broken sternum is a painful injury that can have significant consequences. While most sternum fractures will heal on their own with rest and pain management, they may also lead to complications that can be life-threatening. It’s crucial to seek medical attention for the proper diagnosis.
Can I Work With a Broken Sternum?
You must follow all medical advice. If your doctor says you should not work due to your broken sternum, you need to refrain from working until you’re cleared to continue. Working before the injury is healed can worsen your condition and cause you to develop complications.
How Do You Sleep With a Broken Sternum?
Sleeping with a broken sternum can be painful if you’re not careful. A position that typically does not cause discomfort is sleeping on your side or back. You can also use pillows to prop yourself up in a more comfortable position.
Who Treats a Fractured Sternum?
An orthopedic or trauma surgeon will likely treat a fractured sternum. Ongoing care usually involves other doctors and physical therapists as well.
What Is the Average Settlement for a Fractured Sternum?
Depending on the injury and the extent of damages, a broken sternum settlement can range from thousands to millions of dollars. Speak with a legal professional to see what your case may be worth.
Understanding the Full Impact of a Broken Sternum
A broken sternum can completely change your life and affect the entire family. However, understanding the injury, symptoms, treatments, and legal options after an accident can help you get back on your feet. Seek medical advice and contact an injury attorney to get the help you need and deserve.
