Arm Movement and Stretching

[Lynne1]

What is "allowed", encouraged, or helpful - at 2 weeks post-op- in terms of arm movement and light stretching? Peter is of course still feeling stiff and limited mobility in upper body. Should he be trying to do some gentle arm movements? would that help or hurt the back pain (below shoulder blade) that still bothers him. The doctor says "no exercise" til he sees him in 2 weeks but I don't know if that means "don't move" your arms much or what we would normally consider exercising that would be more strenuous? Peter seems to think he meant don't really do anything.

 

[bvdr]

Lynne,

I had a right-thoracotomy incision rather than a sternotomy. My surgeon told me to really practice good posture and deep breathing, keep moving my arms but no lifting, no pulling, and no pushing.

I think if you need clarification for Peter you might make a quick call to the surgeon's office to check. I'm sure they wouldn't mind and after all .....they work for you.

 

[MelissaM]

Hi Lynne,

Light stretching seemed to be okay for me. I do a fair amount of yoga and incorporated arm stretches into my recovery. It not only seemed to loosen me up, but it also seemed to release the anesthesia from those muscles faster. Now, ten weeks out, I have almost full range of motion back.

If you are willing to massage the area between Peter's shoulder blades, I am sure he will be enternally grateful. That area was the most troublesome for me and took nightly hot baths (Initially, I only filled the water half-way, so it heated my back, but didn't touch the incision) The heat, followed by a couple of Advil before bed seemed to help.

Melissa

 

[Lynne1]

Thanks Melissa.
He does have the back pain at night that keeps him up and extra strength Tylenol does seem to help so he's still taking 1 Percoset per night. I'm a bit worried about that - is it addictive or does it have other negative side effects? I would have thought he wouldn't be needing this by now.

 

[Ross]

You'd have to take the Percocet for a very long time to become addicted. I had to take it for almost 2 months straight at one time. No problems when I stopped them.

 

[tommy]

I would avoid any sharp/quick or twisting movement. I twisted to pick up a loaf of bread and thought that my chest had come apart.

The back rub sounds great!

 

[Nancy]

NO exercise until he gets the OK

NO exercise until he gets the OK

I think if the doctor said no exercise, that's what he meant, NO exercise until he gives the OK.

When a pacemaker is implanted it is important to stop any exercise until the pacemaker area heals, otherwise the pacemaker function can be compromised, and the leads can even get displaced.

No massaging either until you get the OK from the doctor. Massaging in the area of the pacemaker implantation can also displace the leads.

Wait on everything until the doc says it's OK. Have him take his pain meds until then.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

I had the normal full sternum cut for my AVR.

The hospital provided an information booklet that included 'light' exercises and stretching to loosen up the sore shoulder, chest, and back muscles. These included 'arm circles' with the arms streched out to the side and then the front. Make circles forward for a count of N, followed by backward circles for a count of N (N to be provided by your Doctor).

My cardiac rehab class added some more stretches (after 6 weeks). They also had what I called 'arm bicycle peddles' which REALLY helped loosen up my tight shoulder and chest muscles.

MUSCLE MASSAGE on the long back muscles provided much better relief than pain meds. For those inexperienced in massage, a heated vibrating disk massager works well when applied over the length of the affected muscles.

BUT, as Nancy said, CHECK with his Doctor (surgeon?) or his nurse FIRST before starting any exercise program.

'AL'

 

[Nancy]

I think the No Exercise situation has more to do with the pacemaker implantation than the valve surgery. I remember distinctly that Joe was told not to touch or in any was manipulate the pocket area of the pacemaker implantation or the surrounding areas. That area has to heal perfectly so the leads do not become displaced. Displaced pacemaker leads can cause arrhythmias and it would really be a mess.

 

[medtronic of borg]

arms

arms

most all my surgeries, they told me to do arm circles. Except pacers! I agree al.

 

[Kathy]

I had a pacemaker and was told not to put my hand above my head on the side of the pacemaker. I wasn't even able to blow dry my hair with a brush. My pacemaker site hurt so much I had no desire to lift my arm any higher. The heating pad helped a great deal.

My back/shoulder blades flared up after a few weeks in rehab and I am now in P.T. for back pain. I walked the dog on a long lead through the park on Sat. She did some pulling and I am really regretting that decision. It will be embarrasing to explain to the PT on Monday.