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How can you care for yourself when you have a sternum fracture?
- Be safe with medicines. Take pain medicines exactly as directed.
- If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
- If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
- Put ice or a cold pack on your chest for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the next 3 days (when you are awake) or until the swelling goes down. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.
- Even if it hurts, cough or take the deepest breath you can at least once every hour. This will get air deeply into your lungs and reduce your chance of getting pneumonia or a partial collapse of a lung. Hold a pillow against your chest to make this less painful.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Avoid activities that may put pressure on your chest or cause a blow to the chest until the pain is gone.
Sternum fracture: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- You passed out (lost consciousness).
- You have severe trouble breathing.
- You have a fast or irregular heartbeat.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You have new or worse trouble breathing.
- Your pain gets worse.
- You are dizzy or lightheaded, or you feel like you may faint.
- You have a fever.
- You have a new cough or your cough gets worse.
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- Your pain does not get better as expected.
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The content above contains general health information provided by Healthwise, Incorporated, and reviewed by its medical experts. This content should not replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Not all treatments or services described are offered as services by us. For recommended treatments, please consult your healthcare provider.