how does your sternum heal
After surgery, your doctor may require that you follow sternal precautions: a method to protect your sternum, or breastbone, after you've had open heart surgery. Open heart surgery usually requires that your cardiac surgeon divide your sternum to visualize your heart and surrounding structures. After the surgery, your surgeon must repair your sternum by aligning the bone in the proper place. Usually, a strong wire is used to hold the bones together while healing takes place.