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sore sternum

My sternum hurts from an auto accident 3.5 days ago. Don’t know if I actually hit the steering wheel or if it’s from air bag deployment. It felt like I hit my chest hard when I impacted. The pain is specifically in the center.
I’m trying not to rack up a big bill and have my insurance cancelled.
I can lift things.
Mostly hurts when I breathe deeply, cough or sneeze.
The bones still feel solid -not crumbly or crackly, I didn’t cough any blood.
I get relief from ice and Ibuprofen. Any suggestions.
Think this will heal on it’s own? Thanks!


1 Comment found

    May PT

    9 10

    Well, we know your heart or lungs aren’t punctured..that’s a good thing. It really would be best to get it checked out. But, if you really can’t, I’m sure you have a really bad bone contusion and possibly an injury to the ligaments that hold the ribs to the sternum or you could possible have a cracked sternum or rib. And you won’t feel the bones “crumbly” or “crackly” for that matter with a fracture. Keep using ice and ibuprofin for pain control, avoid any heavy lifting, pushing or pulling and avoid overhead activities for a while. If you work out, give that a rest too. Give it a couple of weeks, if still no better go see a doc.

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