Question
My 13 year son plays football and has been complaining for a few weeks
about his sternum.  Last night he hurt it even worse in his football game.  He
contunies to play regardless of how he feels.  Its gotten to the point he can't
breathe very well when laying down, sitting up is when he feels best and can
breathe ok.  What can I do to help him?  How do you help heal a fractured
sternum?  Is it comparable to a cracked tail bone, you just have to let it heal
on its own?  What should I do to have it heal properly and help with the pain?

Answer
Elisa,

First, how do you know he has a cracked sternum?   Was there an xray or CT scan?   If there is any fracture of the sternum or rib and any fragments or protrusions against the soft tissues that surround the heart or lungs, then he may be at risk for hemothorax or worse...  Is his pain at the connection between his clavical and sternum?  While it is rare, the sternoclavicular joint can dislocate posteriorly, and will cause difficulty breathing as well as pain.  You really need to pull him from the game and have his condition examined.   I'd suggest first going straight to the orthopedic physician's office.  He may need a chest CT scan to be sure about nothing endangering his heart or lungs.  This is not something to take lightly.

'Regards,

Dr. G