A fractured sternum after a crash or fall. The pain is severe — but the question everyone wants answered is whether the heart is safe.
Sternal fractures occur most often from road traffic accidents and falls. Most are managed conservatively with excellent outcomes. But some are unstable, non-healing, or associated with injuries that need careful assessment. This page gives you the complete picture — from first-day cardiac monitoring to surgical plate fixation.

Whether it came from a seat belt locking in a car accident, a fall from height, or a direct blow to the chest, a sternal fracture means your breastbone — the solid plate of bone sitting directly in front of your heart — has broken. The pain is immediate, severe, and made worse by every breath. It is hard to sleep. It is hard to cough. It is hard to move without a sharp reminder that something is wrong.
The anxiety about cardiac injury is entirely understandable and medically appropriate. Your sternum sits directly over your heart, separated by just a few centimetres of chest wall. The question of whether the force that broke your breastbone also bruised or damaged your heart is the most important question in the first 24 hours — and it is answerable, clearly, with the right investigations. For most patients with isolated sternal fractures, the answer is reassuring.
"The sternum is the guardian of the heart — it takes the blow so the heart doesn't have to. In most cases, it does its job. The fracture itself tells us there was significant force, which is why we always assess for associated injuries. But an isolated sternal fracture, properly evaluated, is far more manageable than it often first feels."
This guide explains what a sternal fracture means, what associated injuries must be excluded, how it is diagnosed and monitored, when surgery is needed, and what recovery looks like.
Seen within days. No referral needed. Mr Scarci specialises in chest wall trauma including sternal fractures, nonunion, and plate fixation surgery.
The sternum (breastbone) is a flat bone running vertically down the centre of the chest. It has three parts: the manubrium (top), the sternal body (middle — the longest section), and the xiphoid process (lower tip). The ribs connect to the sternum via costal cartilage on both sides, forming the front of the rib cage.
Directly behind the sternum sits the mediastinum — containing the heart, great vessels (aorta, superior vena cava, pulmonary arteries), and the trachea. This proximity explains why sternal fractures raise immediate concern about associated injuries: the same force that breaks the breastbone can also injure the structures immediately behind it.
Sternal fractures are relatively uncommon, accounting for 3–8% of blunt chest trauma patients. The mechanism is almost always a direct frontal impact — most commonly a seat belt injury during sudden deceleration. The sternum absorbs the kinetic energy of the impact and fractures under the load, typically as a transverse fracture across the sternal body.
The fracture may be non-displaced (the bone ends remain in normal alignment) or displaced (one fragment overlaps or moves behind the other). Displacement indicates greater force and a higher risk of associated injuries.

Sternal fractures are classified by location and by the degree of displacement. Both factors influence the likelihood of associated injuries and whether surgery may be needed.
The most frequent type, occurring across the middle section of the sternum. Usually a transverse (horizontal) fracture caused by direct frontal impact or flexion-compression. In non-displaced fractures, the bone ends remain aligned and conservative management is appropriate. Displaced fractures — where one fragment slides behind the other — carry greater risk of associated injury and may need surgery.
Fractures of the top segment of the sternum, at or around the junction with the clavicles and first ribs. Less common but potentially more complex — the manubrium is close to major vessels. Often associated with clavicle fractures, upper rib fractures, or cervical spine injuries from the same traumatic event.
The joint between the manubrium and sternal body can dislocate — separating the two segments — rather than fracturing the bone itself. This creates significant instability, typically causes a visible step deformity on the chest wall, and almost always requires surgical fixation due to the mechanical instability it creates.
Isolated fractures of the xiphoid (the small cartilaginous tip at the base of the sternum) are uncommon and usually result from direct blows or CPR. They are the least clinically significant sternal injury — the xiphoid has no structural role and these fractures almost always heal without any intervention.
Failure of a sternal fracture to heal after 6–8 weeks — producing a persistently mobile, clicking, or painful fracture site. Causes include severe displacement, inadequate immobilisation, poor bone quality (osteoporosis), infection, or metabolic factors. Nonunion causes chronic pain, respiratory impairment, and requires surgical fixation to achieve union.
A sternal fracture itself has a favourable prognosis. The morbidity and mortality associated with sternal fractures is almost entirely determined by the injuries that accompany them. These must be systematically excluded before management of the fracture itself is planned.
Bruising of the heart muscle from the same force that fractured the sternum. Can cause arrhythmias, reduced cardiac output, or (rarely) cardiac rupture. Assessed with ECG and troponin blood test. The vast majority of isolated sternal fracture patients have normal cardiac investigations — but the assessment is non-negotiable.
Injury to the aorta from high-energy deceleration trauma is rare but life-threatening. CT angiography assesses the aorta. The widened mediastinum on chest X-ray is a key warning sign that should never be ignored.
The lungs lie immediately behind the chest wall. High-energy trauma can bruise the lung (pulmonary contusion) or tear the pleura (pneumothorax). Both are identified on CT scan. Pulmonary contusion typically worsens over the first 48 hours — monitoring oxygen saturation is essential.
Multiple rib fractures commonly accompany sternal fractures from high-energy chest trauma. Their significance lies primarily in the risk of complications — pneumonia, pneumothorax, haemothorax — and in the breathing impairment they cause alongside the sternal fracture.
Vertebral fractures — particularly of the cervical and thoracic spine — are among the most frequent associated injuries with sternal fractures, occurring in up to 40% of cases in some series. The mechanism of sternal fracture (violent flexion of the trunk) can simultaneously compress or fracture the thoracic spine. Spinal assessment is mandatory.
Clavicular fractures, scapular fractures, and upper extremity injuries frequently occur in the same traumatic event. These injuries may be diagnosed simultaneously and affect rehabilitation planning — a fractured clavicle limits how the patient can be positioned and mobilised during sternal recovery.
The most common anxiety after a sternal fracture is: "has my heart been damaged?" This is a legitimate and important question. The evidence now clearly shows that isolated sternal fractures rarely cause clinically significant cardiac injury. The risk of serious cardiac complication in an otherwise healthy patient with a simple sternal fracture and a normal initial ECG and troponin is very low.
Cardiac monitoring is appropriate after any significant sternal fracture — but in the majority of cases, the results are reassuring and patients can be managed without prolonged cardiac observation.
Standard chest X-ray misses the majority of sternal fractures. Proper diagnosis requires targeted imaging — and the choice of imaging has significant implications for identifying associated injuries.
CT is the definitive imaging for sternal fractures. Published data shows that 94% of sternal fractures visible only on CT were missed on plain chest X-ray. CT provides detailed cross-sectional images showing fracture location, degree of displacement, and — critically — the presence of associated injuries to the lungs, mediastinum, heart, and spine.
Standard frontal chest X-ray has poor sensitivity for sternal fractures. A lateral chest X-ray provides better visualisation of the sternal profile. X-ray is still appropriate as first-line imaging because it quickly identifies pneumothorax, haemothorax, pulmonary contusion, widened mediastinum, and other associated injuries — before CT is arranged.
A 12-lead ECG is performed on all patients with significant sternal fracture to screen for arrhythmias and ST changes suggesting myocardial injury. Troponin I blood test sensitively detects myocardial cell damage. A combination of normal ECG and normal troponin at presentation effectively rules out significant blunt cardiac injury.
Ultrasound has emerged as a valuable bedside tool with high sensitivity (83–97%) and specificity (>95%) for sternal fractures. Particularly useful in settings where CT is not immediately available or when patient movement is restricted. Dynamic ultrasound can also assess for pneumothorax at the same examination.
Formal echocardiography is not routinely needed in isolated sternal fractures with normal ECG and troponin. It is indicated when cardiac injury is suspected — abnormal ECG, elevated troponin, haemodynamic instability, or a significant pericardial effusion on CT. Provides detailed assessment of cardiac function and wall motion.
Given the high incidence of thoracic and cervical spinal fractures associated with sternal fractures, spinal CT is a routine part of the workup for high-energy sternal fractures. MRI of the spine is added when spinal cord involvement or ligamentous injury is suspected. Spinal clearance cannot be assumed — it must be formally demonstrated.
The treatment of sternal fractures follows a clear, stepwise approach. Over 95% of patients are managed conservatively. The minority requiring surgery are those with specific indications that conservative management cannot address.
The priority in the first hours after a sternal fracture is not the fracture itself — it is the exclusion of life-threatening associated injuries. CT scan of the chest, ECG, troponin, and spinal assessment are the cornerstones of the initial workup. The cardiac assessment question is answered promptly and clearly. Once associated injuries are excluded or stabilised, focus turns to the sternal fracture itself.
The vast majority of sternal fractures — including most displaced fractures — heal reliably without surgery, provided pain is adequately controlled. Conservative treatment comprises: analgesia (regularly dosed NSAIDs, paracetamol, and stronger medications as needed); breathing exercises to prevent pulmonary complications (pneumonia is a real risk when pain prevents full deep breathing); activity modification (avoiding heavy lifting, pushing, and pulling while the sternum heals); and monitoring for complications.
Sternal fracture pain is notoriously severe. When standard oral analgesia fails to allow adequate breathing and mobilisation, more targeted approaches are used: parasternal nerve blocks (intercostal nerve blocks at the sternal border) provide direct local anaesthesia to the fracture site; subperiosteal catheter infusion delivers continuous local anaesthetic directly over the fractured bone; epidural analgesia is occasionally used for patients with multiple concurrent rib fractures.
Surgery is reserved for the minority of patients where conservative management is inadequate. When indicated, anterior sternal plating using titanium locking plates provides excellent stability, immediate pain relief, and allows early mobilisation. Published data show early plate fixation leads to faster recovery, earlier return to work, and lower analgesic requirements compared to prolonged conservative management of unstable fractures.
Sternal plate osteosynthesis is an established, well-described procedure. When performed by a thoracic surgeon experienced in chest wall surgery, outcomes are consistently excellent. The proximity of the heart and great vessels posterior to the sternum demands careful, measured drilling technique.
Significant overlap of sternal fragments that cannot be reduced by closed techniques — creating deformity and mechanical instability
A mobile, unstable sternum that moves with breathing — impairing ventilation and causing severe pain with every breath
Persistent failure to heal after 6–8 weeks, producing a chronic painful clicking fracture site — the most common indication for late surgery
Pain that cannot be adequately controlled with conservative measures and significantly limits breathing and quality of life
Ventilatory compromise that requires sternal stabilisation to enable adequate breathing
Patients who cannot be weaned from a ventilator due to chest wall instability — surgical fixation removes the mechanical impediment
A midline incision over the sternum, subperiosteal dissection to expose the fracture, reduction of displaced fragments, and fixation with one or two low-profile titanium locking plates secured by unicortical or bicortical screws. Locked plate technology provides superior stability — the plate acts as an internal fixator, resisting both shearing and compressive forces. Depth-limited drilling prevents posterior penetration and injury to the heart and vessels.
When the sternal fracture has developed nonunion — with fibrous tissue rather than bone at the fracture site — bone graft may be added alongside plate fixation to stimulate bony union. The fibrous callus at the nonunion site is debrided back to bleeding bone edges, the fragments are reduced and plated, and a bone graft is applied to promote healing.
The older technique — encircling the sternal segments with stainless steel wires to achieve reduction. Provides less rigid fixation than plate osteosynthesis, carries higher malunion rates, and offers less resistance to shearing forces. Largely superseded by plate fixation in modern practice.
A sternal fracture that fails to heal after 6–8 weeks is a recognised complication — more common in patients with significant displacement at the time of injury, osteoporosis, metabolic bone disease, or infection. Nonunion produces a persistently painful, mechanically unstable sternum that significantly impairs quality of life and breathing.
The diagnosis is confirmed on CT scan — showing the persistent fracture gap, often with fibrous tissue rather than callus formation at the fracture site. Surgical plate fixation — with or without bone graft — reliably achieves union when conservative management has failed, providing immediate mechanical stability and allowing the fractured bone to heal in correct alignment.
If you have had a sternal fracture that was managed conservatively and you are still experiencing significant pain, clicking, or instability in your breastbone more than 8–10 weeks later, a specialist assessment is warranted.
Most sternal fractures, while painful, are not immediately life-threatening once cardiac and aortic injury has been excluded. These signs, however, require immediate 999 / A&E attendance:
The timeline for sternal fracture recovery depends primarily on whether the fracture is stable and non-displaced, or displaced and requiring surgery. Most patients are surprised by how long the recovery takes — understanding the timeline helps set realistic expectations.
Cardiac monitoring, CT imaging, associated injury exclusion. Pain management initiated.
Rest; regular analgesia; breathing exercises. Avoid all lifting, pushing, pulling. Gradual mobilisation within pain limits.
Pain gradually improving. Light activity within pain limits. No driving until pain allows emergency braking. Follow-up X-ray.
Most stable fractures showing bone callus. Return to light work. Avoid heavy chest loading. Review if still painful.
Most patients fully healed. Return to all activities. Residual sensitivity common. Suspect nonunion if still clicking.
Important: If significant pain, clicking, or instability persists beyond 8–10 weeks, do not continue waiting. A specialist review can confirm whether the fracture is healing normally or whether intervention is needed. Prolonged nonunion is easier to treat surgically when addressed early than when left for months or years.
"I fractured my sternum in a car accident in January. After two months, I was still clicking and in severe pain every morning — my GP said to give it more time. Mr Scarci saw me within the week, confirmed nonunion on CT, and I had plate fixation three weeks later. The clicking stopped immediately. I wish I'd come sooner instead of waiting for three months of pain."
Most sternal fractures are initially managed in A&E or by a general orthopaedic team. When the fracture is complex, is not healing, or requires surgical fixation, specialist chest wall surgery expertise is what determines outcomes.
The most important part of sternal fracture management is excluding what you can't see — cardiac, aortic, pulmonary, and spinal injuries. A systematic approach ensures nothing critical is missed in the initial assessment.
94% of sternal fractures are missed on plain chest X-ray. CT is the appropriate gold standard — providing fracture detail, displacement assessment, and associated injury identification in one investigation.
Sternal fracture pain that prevents adequate deep breathing leads to pneumonia. Advanced pain techniques — parasternal blocks, subperiosteal infusion — keep patients breathing properly when oral analgesia is insufficient.
When surgery is indicated, anterior sternal plating with titanium locking plates requires specific chest wall surgical expertise. The proximity of the heart and great vessels demands meticulous technique — this is not a routine orthopaedic operation.
Sternal nonunion and displaced fractures causing significant pain need prompt assessment. Most patients are seen within one week of contact. Prolonged conservative management of unstable or non-healing fractures delays recovery unnecessarily.
Concerns during the recovery period — new symptoms, persistent pain, questions about activity — are addressed directly by Mr Scarci. You are not left managing a painful chest injury without specialist support.
Whether you've just been discharged from A&E or your fracture isn't healing weeks later, a specialist consultation provides clear answers: about the cardiac question, about the fracture itself, and about what comes next.