Mr

[Markp7119]

Hi my name is mark and had a cabgx4 8 weeks ago

I am doing fine but have some pain like arthritis is both elbows and now I have removed the chest bandage it feels like my chest is being stretched

Any thoughts or experiences welcome

Thanks

Mark

[080311]

Morning Mark,

Just a couple of thoughts the aches in elbows, we are put in such severe positions on the table arms behind our backs, could be that? Don’t know what a chest bandage is? Remember the sternum is like any broken bone needs to heal they say 8-10 weeks. But do you mean the skin feels like it’s being stretched?

Best wishes Pauline

[Markp7119 in reply to 080311]

Thanks Pauline

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hi Mark..

I agree with Pauline. After my surgery I had issues with my right arm for nearly three months. The problem is the extreme positioning can catch the ulnar nerve in the shoulder or elbow. I had pain from the shoulder through the elbow and wrist finishing with the little and ring fingers having pins and needles with limited mobility. NSAIDs tend to be a no-no for us hearties but Paracetamol may be useful if needed.

By chest bandage do you mean a post-thorax vest as below?

The vest!

[Markp7119 in reply to MichaelJH]

Michael thanks for responseThe chest vest is basically an elasticated type dressing that is Velcro around my chest

I have now removed after 8 weeks so perhaps the reason why my chest feels so stretched

[Hidden]

How are you using your arms?

They say you shouldn't be putting your arms above shoulder level in early days - it can cause discomfort, and whilst it would initially make you think the shoulders can hurt, no reason it could not impact on the elbows instead. My shoulders suffered chronic pain and loss of flexibility because I had moved my arms above my shoulders and other not to do activities - but that is a nother story. Thankfully, following rest and physio, things are pretty much back to normal now.

As for the skin feeling as though it is stretching on your chest - I've had that feeling as well and assumed it was the skin being stretched as i breathed deeply - it is a bit eleastic in its nature, as are the muscles - and all have been well and truly pushed to their limits with your op. Don't forget, some one was good enough to take out a rib for the op, so you not only have skin to regrow over the wound - but also muscles to repair and a rib that needs to rejoin itslef to the sternum - all of which will take time and cause discomfort and other odd symptoms or sensations.

I hope these feelings calm down sooner than later - but I suspect it is part of the post op process as per Pauline and Michaels comments.

[Markp7119 in reply to Hidden]

Brand thanks for reply