Suggest Remedy For Sharp Pain And Soreness In Chest

Posted on Thu, 24 Dec 2015

Question: Had a CABG on XXXXXXX 5th 2015
No issues of note until recently ...have soreness in my upper left chest area ...left mammary area ..which is nagging ...not sharp pain ...more like a constant tenderness and soreness that seems to be aggravated by exercise ..ie golf for example

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Typical case of PCP; pls pay your surgeon a visit

Detailed Answer:
Hello sir and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. CABG (coronary artery bypass graft) is a very common surgery and is beneficial in numerous ways to many individuals out there. But ever since its introduction and use, many patients report one common post-operative complication or complaint which is pain which restricts physical activity; also called post-CABG pain (PCP).

From studies conducted over years the pain is almost always in the upper anterior part of the chest whose onset has various different causes like costochondral pain, upper limb complex regional pain syndrome, brachial plexus traction, scar pain, etc.

PCP can last for a long time (months to years), and so early diagnosis and treatment is necessary for all post-CABG patients complaining of pain. Please do consult your operating surgeon for further information and treatment accordingly.

I hope you find my response both helpful and informative. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you.

Best wishes.

Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar