Activities of Daily Living with Sternal Precautions: Self-care for safety and healing - 02/2026

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Activities of Daily Living with Sternal Precautions: Self-care for safety and healing

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Abstract

This handout explains basic precautions to protect the sternum after heart surgery. It provides tips and images showing how to do various activities of daily living (ADLs) while maintaining sternal precautions: getting into and out of bed, standing up from a chair or toilet, getting dressed, and doing other personal hygiene routines.

Author

Occupational Therapy/Rehab Medicine

Publisher

University of Washington Medical Center

Date Published (original date)

2007

Revision Date

02/2026

Print Abstract

General Subject

Patient Care Procedures & Instructions

Surgery

Specific Subject/Keyword

Activities of Daily Living

Heart Surgery

Sternum

Languages

English

PE Number

PE0509