Long term morbidity in patients suffering a sternal fracture following discharge from the A and E department

Objective: to describe the duration of symptoms and long term outcome in patients who were discharged home from the A and E department having sustained an isolated fracture of the sternum. Design: postal questionnaire. Outcome measures: patients were asked specific questions regarding advice and analgesia given on discharge, length of time off work, if appropriate, and length of time of symptoms related to the injury. Results: a response rate of 55% was achieved. The majority of patients had been involved in a motor vehicle accident. Chest pain was the predominant persisting symptom lasting for a mean period of 10.9 weeks. Duration of symptoms was significantly prolonged in patients over the age of 50 (p < 0.03). Although injury was more common in females this was not statistically significant (p < 0.09). Advice given regarding rehabilitation was poor and variable. Conclusion: patients suffering a sternal fracture have prolonged symptoms. Those being discharged home from the A and E department are at present being given variable and poor advice. A more formal approach to rehabilitation, analgesia and a letter to the general practitioner outlining prognosis will improve their standard of care. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.