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Avatar universal

no sternum

my baby is 6 months now and was born without a sternum - his doctors want to add a piece of metal to top of ribs to hold them together until his next surgery, his shoulders fall back and the gap between his ribs can spread far apart.
i already know that my son, Naseem is a miracle, he is one in a million. i have not found any other case such as his. so, i dont know what will happen next, he has had 4 operations and will undergo several more.

my question is has anyone had surgery to connect thier ribs inplace of a sternum??? what should we look foward to?? how long will this take?? what would the recovery be like??
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Avatar universal
I'm sixty four and I was born without a sternum. When I was a kid I was very athletic but one of my coaches said I couldn't play football because some kid could pull on my ribs and yank it out of my chest. So I played basketball and baseball. I went through Marine boot camp in San Diego MCRD and managed to get on the wall of fame for outstanding achievement by shooting expert, 100% on all written tests and practical tests and beat a perfect score in the three mile run. I guess my point is your child can accomplish much without experimentation. It's not just about the front of the rib cage. It has to do with support from the spine and unless they are going to mimic nature and tie them together your child may have the same thing happen as it has to me now that I'm older. I have a condition where my back can short circuit nerves going to vital organs because my spine is constantly being pulled by muscles that are atrophying with age and standing has become difficult for any real length of time. So the spine will be more of an issue when he gets older. My Dad and one brother had/have a missing sternum. My father died at 64 my age. Don't let it stop his normal development. Cartilage and joint support are key for me. Also one more thing Diet, a lot of pain went away when I stopped eating junk food. God Bless your child!
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Avatar universal
My sister was born in 1968 without a sternum. She had surgery within a few weeks ( I believe my Mom said it was one of the first surgeries of that type back then) and has been fine ever since. She has had no limitations and has led a wonderful life
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Avatar universal
my daughter was born without a sternum at age 1 she had her first sugery useing ribs wired together to make a sternum she is almost 15 and has had 4 surgeries to shave cartilage build up ans 2 to remove loose wires from shaving the cartilage she is very active in gymnastics with ocasional shifting pain being a teenage girl we are looking for other opptions becuz of the terrible protruding boney apperance from cartilage build up
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Avatar universal
my daughter was born without a sternum at age 1 she had her first sugery useing ribs wired together to make a sternum she is almost 15 and has had 4 surgeries to shave cartilage build up ans 2 to remove loose wires from shaving the cartilage she is very active in gymnastics with ocasional shifting pain being a teenage girl we are looking for other opptions becuz of the terrible protruding boney apperance
Helpful - 0
717077 tn?1234556743
There was just a procedure done in a VA hospital in Ca that replaced a sternum with metal plates .......PM e for more details

Greg a
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Avatar universal
I am the great grandpa living without a sternum due to infection after heart surgery and there is a few of us now, over the last 12 years are so, before that the doctors were trying to replace the sternum. First it is cartledge, not bone. Second one can live a full life with out it. But if there is any way for a person to have the ribs tied and heart protected with a shield of some kind, with out complications, such as more than one surgery, do it.
I hear your son is doing fine and that is good. Under things to be aware of is pain in the chest muscles's, back pain, more movement than normal for the ribs, and ribs are easier to crack due to the lack of proper support.
I would think it would be hard to replace a sternum a sternum cartledge with plastic and or metal with out having these side effects. God be with you.
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Avatar universal
my sister's daughter was born without Manubrium above sternum, she is 4 days old, i have not found any other case, we dont know what to do, can any one help me... please...
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Avatar universal
I was born with out my sternum. 37 years ago. I do not remember much but I do know that I only had 1 surgery and that was at birth. The details are not known to me. I have never been to another doctor for any issues regarding my chest...until now.
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Avatar universal
i have a friend who just turned 23 and he was born with out a sternum.  he is fine and in great shape.  he works and lives his life like everyone else.  i never would have thought he had a plastic sternum.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
do you knw ware the surgery was done im curious how a  plastic one would be attached ?
Avatar universal
My sister is 6 1/2 months pregnant , and found out that her son to be will also be borned without a sternum.  I've done research and came across your child.  I reveiwed the news program about your son's  6 hour surgery, and how successful it was.  I also retrieved the Doctors name who performed the surgery. I'm glad to hear that he is doing wonderful.

My question to you is "What does my sister need to expect in a situation like this?", also "how old was your son when he was allowed to go home, and how was his heart protected. Last question is did the doctors tell you prior to delivery that they will be able to help your son?

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Avatar universal
I have never heard of this, but I certainly hope and pray that your baby is OK.  
Helpful - 0
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