After open heart surgery what are some challanges people usually face with a broken sternum? i just want to know what to expect

Limit use of arms: There is so much you do with your arms without thinking. You push off with hands on thighs to stand. You use arms to adjust yourself in chair or bed. All of this puts pressure on sternum. I limit patients to 10 lb 6 wks then 25 lb for another 6 weeks. And no pushing or pulling for 3 months. Coughing and sneezing can be uncomfortable also.

Broken sternum: Sternum is divided in mid-line during the heart surgery. Healing is slow like any other bony fracture. The sternum usually heals well id one does not lift heavy weights for first 5-6 months.

Not that bad: Most patients after open heart surgery via sternotomy will have a week of incisional discomfort but will return to near normal physical activity in 2 months.