Sternum Osteomyelitis: What to Know

The sternum can become infected when organisms reach bone through nearby tissue, the bloodstream, or an opening after surgery or injury. Possible features include deep or persistent breastbone pain, tenderness, warmth, swelling, drainage from a wound, fever, chills, fatigue, or feeling generally unwell. Some people have few early symptoms, so ongoing pain or a changing wound deserves review. Clinicians may use an examination, blood tests, imaging, and sometimes a sample to identify the organism and guide treatment.

This is not the same as a simple chest wall strain. Do not squeeze a swollen area or apply unprescribed creams over a wound.

Contact a doctor promptly if osteomyelitis is suspected or has been diagnosed. Treatment may involve antimicrobial medicine, wound care, drainage, or surgery when infected or damaged tissue must be removed. Take prescribed treatment exactly as directed and attend monitoring appointments. Keep any wound clean and covered according to the care plan, and avoid smoking or pressure over the area while healing. Bone reconstruction is a separate decision; [Bone Grafting](/treatments/trauma-and-fracture-care/bone-grafting/) may be discussed when bone has been lost or needs structural support.

Seek urgent care for rapidly spreading redness or swelling, pus, high fever, confusion, faintness, severe weakness, breathing difficulty, or chest pain with collapse. After treatment begins, worsening pain, new drainage, or fever should be reported promptly because the plan may need reassessment.

Ask how the infection was confirmed, whether a sample identified the organism, how long treatment is expected to continue, which wound changes matter, and whether surgery or reconstruction is being considered.