Help your chest, feel it’s best, after heart surgery.
Sternum Protector provides support, comfort, and protection after open chest surgeries, specifically following a sternotomy. This innovative device helps in preventing falls, infection, and injuries to the surgical area.
Introducing Sternum Protector, a newly licensed product designed to assist in your recovery journey.
Featured in:
meet the creators
Our Mission and Inspiration
Sternum Protector was born from a very personal experience. It was invented by Sanford Nurses, Angel and Amanda Rollag, after their father underwent a sternotomy as part of his open-heart surgery.
As nurses, Angel and Amanda witnessed firsthand the challenges their father faced during his recovery and recognized a significant area for improvement in patient care.
What is Sternum Protector?
Sternum Protector is a newly licensed medical device designed and produced to assist in the recovery process after open chest surgeries, particularly those involving a sternotomy.
A sternotomy is a surgical incision, typically 8-10 inches in length, made down the center of the chest to access the heart. After the surgery, the breastbone (sternum) is wired back together.
Sternum Protect provides support, comfort, and protection to this surgical area during the crucial recovery period.
Why Sternum Protector?
Following open chest surgery, patients often experience extreme pain, weakness, shortness of breath, and frequent coughing episodes. While encouraged to walk and be active to prevent complications, the standard protocol at some hospitals, like Sanford, involves using a blanket to brace during movements like coughing, sneezing, or laughing. The source highlights several issues with this approach:
Increased Fall Risk
Risk of infection
Potential for injury
Lack of consistent protection
How Sternum Protector helps
Sternum Protector offers a significant improvement over the traditional blanket method by providing lightweight, 24/7 hands-free protection. It is designed to be always accessible, promoting better patient compliance.
Hands-free protection: Allows patients to use walkers and move more freely without the need to hold a blanket. This reduces the risk of falls associated with juggling a blanket and mobility aids.
Improved infection control: Made with medical-grade materials that are easily cleaned and disinfected. Unlike a blanket, it eliminates the risk of dropping onto contaminated surfaces.
Protection of the surgical area: Provides a barrier against jolting movements or accidental contact that could cause pain or injury to the healing sternum. This is especially important during activities like coughing, sneezing, or sudden movements.
Potential for improved pain control: By offering support to the chest, Sternum Protect may help to reduce pain experienced during coughing, sneezing, or laughing.
Convenient features: Includes a front pocket that can hold items such as telemetry units, chest tube boxes, or a cell phone. It also features adjustable straps and quick-release buckles for a custom and secure fit, as well as handles to assist with sternal precaution compliance during repositioning or transferring.
Comfort and ease of use: Designed to be easily worn and removed, and can be worn under or over clothing.
Features of Sternum Protector
Adjustable Straps: Allows for a custom fitting to accommodate different body sizes.
Soft Vinyl Customizable Pad Cover: Provides a comfortable surface.
1 Inch High-Density Inner Foam: Offers support and protection.
Adjustable Nylon Elastic Straps with Release Buckles: Ensures a secure fit and easy removal.
Medical Grade Materials: Facilitates easy cleaning and disinfection.
Hands-Free Design: Promotes compliance and mobility.
Customizable Options: May be available in different sizes, colors, materials, and with print options.
TESTIMONIALS
"So much protection!"
"Sternum Protector offered so much protection! I had frequent coughing spells and it helped brace the big jolts so much!"
- Brad
"So grateful!"
" I am so grateful that I could use a Sternum Protector pad to help in my recovery. My mom had the same surgery 5 years ago and she was supposed to use a heart pillow, but she didn't because she hated carrying it around.."
- Amy
"Freedom again!"
"Sternum Protector gave me freedom again! I was able to bring it with me everywhere and it helped so much in my recovery after open heart surgery."
- Jennifer
Have any Questions?
No hesitation, we can help you with a free Consultation
purchase
Order your Sternum Protector
Limited Quantities
100% risk free - 30 day money back guarantee
Here's what you get:
Adjustable Straps
Customizable Pad Cover
Medical Grade Materials
Hands-free design
Total value: $497
$125
"Best purchase ever!"
"Sternum Protector gave me my mobility back!." - Ryan
FAQs
Why do I need the Sternum Protector ?
Your doctor has advised you to wear the Sternum Protector to provide your sternal incision with support, comfort, and protection while maintaining the stability of your sternum while you heal from open heart surgery.
How long do you have to wear the Sternum Protector?
The length of time you wear the Sternum Protector will be determined by your cardiac surgeon. Sternal incisions can take up to 12 weeks to heal. Recovery rate can range and depend on several factors including how compliant you are with the sternal precautions.
Why can’t I use a blanket or towel from home instead?
Hospitals previously suggested for patients to use a small blanket, towel or heart pillow for support of the surgical area before the Sternum Protector pad was invented. But using a blanket, towel or pillow presents a safety risk because these items can be dropped, tripped over and increase the risk of infection by coming into contact with other surface areas. These items also do not provide adequate support to protect the sternal incision from injuries, they are not always easily accessible, and do not o er a hands free option. TM Patients recovering from open heart surgery are encouraged to be up moving around and walking to help improve oxygenation. They typically require a walker because they experience painful coughing episodes and generalized weakness. Sternum Protector allows the hands to be available to use the mobility devices properly and safely.
How do I clean my Sternum Protector ?
Sternum Protector only uses medical grade materials for easy cleaning. You can clean it with mild soap and water and you may also use antibacterial wipes to disinfect. Always spot test an area with the cleaner to prevent damage to your Sternum Protector .
Can I change the color or add a pocket for my cell phone?
The Sternum Protector is fully customizable and the ability to add several features is shown on our website at www.sternumprotector.com.
How much does the Sternum Protector weigh?
Sternum Protector weighs around 2 pounds depending on the model. It is lightweight and portable to carry on you at all times.
Is there a way I can order replacement parts? Is there a warranty?
You can order replacement parts on our website or by calling customer service. We offer a 30 day non-transferable warranty.
What are the options for customization?
It comes in a variety of sizes, materials, printing options, and variable pocket additions.
Recent Blog Posts...
What to Expect After Heart Surgery: A Comprehensive Recovery Timeline
Recovering from heart surgery can feel overwhelming, but understanding the process can help ease anxiety and set realistic expectations ...more
Sternum Protector
April 12, 2025•4 min read
700,000 Heart Surgeries Annually: How Sternum Protector WILL Change Lives
Undergoing heart surgery is a major milestone, and being prepared can ease anxiety while promoting a smoother recovery. Whether you’re facing a bypass, valve replacement... ...more
Sternum Protector
April 12, 2025•2 min read
© 2025 Sternum Protector. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use