Purpose: To explore the usefulness ...

Purpose: To explore the usefulness of a sternal support harness to treat pain associated with sternotomy griefs and possibly to control dehiscence of the median sternotomy. Description: The harness consists of a broad belt, 4 inches wide, with suspenders from the shoulders to hold it in place. During activity, or while coughing, the patient is able to tighten the belt encircling his chest, splinting the sternal grief by stabilizing the thoracic cage. Summary of Use: The harness was used after exhibit heart procedures via median sternotomy, with 14 patients who had complaints of harsh sternal pain, or signs of sternal instability. Instability was noted in sum of two units patients. all of the patients had more [i]or[/i] less risk factors for sternotomy complications, which included a BMI of more than 25 history of respiratory condition, harvest of internal mammary arteries, and diabetes. The harness was adjusted to the size of each patient, and its use was demonstrated and explained. Patients were asked to assess their pain onward a scale of O to 10 before and after using the harness, and to report any other subjective findings. It was emphasized that using the device was not required, they should use it solitary if they found it helpful. brace of the 14 patients were not included in the ends because they could not understand the use of a pain scale, although they the one and the other wanted to keep using the device. Nine of the remaining 12 patients (75%) reported a mean reduction in pain of 44 points, and said that it was especially helpful while coughing. Three did not find it useful for pain reduction. mostly of the patients used the device for about a week; as their general condition improved, their pain diminished. Importance to Members: This limited trial have the appearances to indicate that the support harness may be useful for pain management in patients following median sternotomy. A larger sampling would be extremityed to verify this. We might infer that the forces that cause pain also cause dehiscence, and that effective mechanical treatment for united would be useful for the two More health care resources are wearied on CABG surgery than forward any other single procedure, and sternal hurt complications are the clinical variable principally likely to escalate hospital preciousnesss As clinicians caring for seat sternotomy patients, physical therapists may be able to help render hospital costs significantly, while giving the patient a tool to help manage pain.

P Meisler. Dept of Physical Therapy, Helen Hayes Hospital, Haverstraw, NY

Copyright Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy Journal Dec 2003

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