Severe cramping in back muscles

[JenniferO]

I'm now at the 3 1/2 week mark post-op. The cramping and burning in the upper back muscles just below the base of my neck is increasing and is really getting hard to bear. The only thing that helps somewhat is a heat pad. But it comes back very shortly after discontinuing the heat pad. Massage might help but is expensive so impractical to do everyday. Thought about seeing my chiropractor but am wary of any adjustments disturbing my healing sternum. Anyone know any exercises that might help or other suggestions?

 

[Lorraine]

Hi Jennifer,

I can definitely relate to what you are going through. I went through the same thing, but a month post-op, it finally went away. I slept for the most part that month, in my sisters recliner with a heating pad and I also put the recliner switch on vibrate. That really seemd to soothe the shoulder pain the best. By the time I went back to my own house I was feeling better in the shoulder ares. I know it has to do with how they postion you during surgergy. I also think it has a lot to do with how you manage to sleep at night(especially if you're trying to sleep in a regular bed, which I couldn't.) I think that's why others here talked about using body pillows to wrap theriselves around in to try in get comfortable. Also I took extra strength tylenol, which my cardio said was okay to use. Hope I was able to help. In time you'll look back on this as just another memory of healing! So keep ! Take care!

 

[Christina]

Hi Jennifer,

I am18 months post-op and can tell you I never had an upper back problem until after my two AVR surgeries. I can say that it gets better over time, but when I get overtired, I can hardly stand it at times. I don't take any pain medicine for this. My husband tries to help and massages the pressure points but that doesn't feel that good either. I try to sit up in my bed pillows as comfortable as I can and wait it out. By the next day after I have had a good nights sleep I feel better.

I think you just have to wait it out and make yourself as comfortable as possibel. Try to get lots of sleep and hope for the best.

Take care,

Christina
Congenital Aortic Stenosis
AVR's 8/7/00 & 8/18/00
St.Jude's Mechanical

 

[Mb]

My husband had the same problem.....lasted a couple of months, and he still gets "twinges" occasionally.

He asked his surgeon in Boston about it. The Dr. said that when they do the surgery, and they spread apart the sternum, with older folks, they will often break a rib or two. With younger folks, it "cracks" the joint capsules in the upper back/neck area at the spine. He said it takes a couple of months for it to heal. And, thats exactly what happened. I hope this helps, and that I've explained it correctly.

Best wises!

Marybeth

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi jennifer!
those aches and pains, although irritating, are very normal and come as a result of the surgery and as amrybeth said, the way they open the sternum. i think it was one of the nurses in the hospital who explained it to joey (when he had terrible pains in his back) as opening a can that has been slit down a seam. when you crank it open it even bends the back end that is not being touched.
in any case, tylenol 3 helped joey tremendously. a lot of patience and rest helped too. sometimes i think this recovery can take longer than any of us expect it to. please try and take it easy and rest up. if the heating pads help, use them. maybe take something for the pain. hope you feel better soon.
be well, sylvia

 

[Brade]

Hi Jennifer,
Well it's been 4 Months since my surgery and I am now in Florida on a 7 week vacation.
I go to a gym and use the treadmill every day and do weight training every other day. I still have some pain in my upper back but believe it or not the weight training does help that. Understand, I still have some pain but it's not unbearable.
For excerise at home, I recommend getting a "GoFit" power tube which can be pruschsed at most sporting goods stores for around $10, or check out www.gofit.net This really helps in getting back your muscle tone. Toning up those muscles will help in reducing that pain. Hope this helps.

 

[Jessica_B.]

Hi Jennifer,

I suffered from neck- and backpain after surgery also. It was annoying but went away eventually.
I got good help from a physiotherapist along with some relaxations techniques the physiotherapist taught me.

Hope you'll feel better soon!

/jessica

 

[sylgeren]

sore shoulders

sore shoulders

Hi Jennifer. Well I to am having cramps and soreness in the upper shoulder area and neck . Comes and goes , and I tried the heating pad, it did help. Thank you for the advice. I wonder if it has any thing to do with the way you sleep. I seem to keep my shoulders kept forward to make it feel better. Sometimes it helps. If you get any new information, pass it on. Bye for now Syl

 

[deborahj]

massage

massage

massage IS expensive, but easily learned.How about you book a good masseuse to come and teach your husband to be able to do this. I'm sure that being able to relieve your pain will be beneficial to him and you both.massage is a really nice and useful thing, i wish we all had the confidence tand knowledge to be able to do this...it can really help.

 

[Mb]

Just a question.....do you spend a lot of time in a recliner?

My husband, as I told you, had the same thing. Once he was up and out of the recliner a bit more, it really helped. I rarely have sat it in, but when he was having this problem, I did, and noticed that the upper pillow thing hit me badly (I am 5'4"), raising my neck an inch or so from "comfortable". I would not be able to sit in in for a long period of time, or I think I would have neck/shoulder pain as well. Just a guess. Hope you feel better.
Marybeth

 

[ShanaleT]

Hey Jennifer!

It has been a while since I have been on the sight. I had the same pain you are talking about 3-4 weeks ago. I found that the IcyHot strips that have recently come out really helped. I wore them for about 4 days straight and I was able to get comfortable. Hope you get to feeling better.

Shana

 

[alpage]

I have been experiencing muscle pains in my back and the side of my neck. Heat pads only give temporary relief. I was thinking about trying massage therapy and yesterday I finally decided to do something about it. Fortunately I live in an urban area of Toronto and there are a number of different clinics within walking distance. The massage therapist wasn't available at the first clinic but there was a shiatsu therapist at the second clinic and I decided to give it a try.

In an hour long session she did a lot of deep muscle massage that really worked out the stiffness and tension. She was careful to avoid the sternum area. I was especially pleased that the soreness and stiffness in the muscles on the right side of my neck disappeared by the end of the session and hasn't yet returned. I'm going to have another session in a week. Based on my discussion with the therapist, one week is a reasonable time between treatments. It's certainly worth trying at least a single session to see if it gives you any relief.

If you live in a larger city you might investigate whether there are massage therapy schools that offer student clinics where you can get a much cheaper massage by students (but under supervision of the instructors).

 

[JenniferO]

I just noticed there was a flurry of new posts of late to this thread.

I talked to Dr. Cosgrove's nurse about the pinpoint of pain in my chest (about 2 to 2 1/2 inches to the right of the center of my skin incision). There is a similar point on the left side but it doesn't bother me nearly as much. She said this is due to the retractor clamps they use to hold you open during the surgery. So, at least I have an explanation that makes sense for that one. She said it might take three months to resolve.

The pain in the back (either the upper trapezius muscle or the levator scapulae muscle on my right side) she said may be due to the position I was in on the operating table or may be due to a compensating posture I have adopted in response to the chest pain. Again, this may take a few months to resolve.

She said NSAIDS (ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.) were more effective than Tylenol for both of these types of pain.

I found a few stretching exercises for these muscles at a website called myopoint.com which help a little.

I did also wonder as suggested above if too much time in the recliner was making things worse rather than better since it puts me in a position where my head is pushed forward and that puts stress on the shoulder and neck muscles. I have also graduated to sleeping flatter in the bed (got rid of most of the extra pillows) since that too can put you in a crunched forward position as you slide down during the night. This has only been for the last two nights so can't tell if it's really made a difference yet.

I went for my first session in cardio-rehab yesterday. The nurse there was going to consult with one of the massage therapists to see if they had any further suggestions. I'm also hoping the general loosening up of my body in rehab might also be of help. I do really hunch my shoulders forward in response to the tightness in my chest and I think that is probably the main culprit so am also doing gentle chest stretching exercises and watching my posture.

The muscle spasm hasn't seemed quite as bad today but is still there.

Thanks for all the suggestions and encouragement, gang.

 

[Mb]

Dear Jennifer:

Sounds like you are on the right path. Hopefully, even if it is slowly, as you begin to get a bit better, things will improve.

I recall how very uncomfortable my husband was that first 4-6 weeks post op, and really did mention his upper neck/shoulder region, and his hip, more than anything, so I know this is more than just a small problem.

Best wishes.

Marybeth

 

[sylgeren]

re-cramping in back shoulders

re-cramping in back shoulders

Hi Jennifer, Here I am starting my 8th week from my surgery. I too am having severe back aches and especially my shoulders. I tried the heating pad, but doesn't work for too long. Now I know what every body talks about after surgery aches. When I read the journal on the Bumticker, he talks about all of this stuff that he went through also. I hope your getting along better now. Good to see your posts and that your alright. Syl

 

[joy]

Hi Jennifer, when I had my back pain, my doctor told me it was because they basically take a vice grip to hold your breast bone open. It will take a while, and like my doctor said, TAKE YOUR PAIN MEDS! you can't heal if you are in pain.

 

[sylgeren]

re-cramping back

re-cramping back

Hi Jennifer. Just finished my 8th week after surgery. Still have the burning and knife pain in the middle of my shoulders. I have gone back to using Darvacet again, at least it helps. I'll get those hot strips and see if they help me. Syl