shoulder and back pain following CABG

[Truffles2]

I had a triple CABG 8 weeks ago now. I am finding it difficult to get back to moral activity because my shoulders ache and I have a strong ache between my shoulder blades at the top of my back. I kinda expected these aches in the early days because of positioning and trauma during surgery, But was not expecting them to get worse or still be with me 8 weeks post surgery. Is this normal ?

[bagsypartime]

My take is that we all suffer atrophy.(people who lie in bed after an op) We are not moving our chest muscles and they shrink.All of our muscles are in balance.The muscles at the front of your legs (Quads) balance those at the back (Glutes).If you make one stronger or weaker you get problems.Runners have strong glutes, cyclists have strong quads.A very aerobically fit cyclist can actually hurt themselves if they go out for a run.

One of the cures for shoulder impingement (i know you don't have this) is hanging.It's not just our muscles but our bones too.They are separated by fat and muscle. if you lose muscle all the calculations change.

My advice would be exercise with light weights and build your muscle back up.Everythings against you, you are older, you are inactive because of op, you have low testosterone because of age and the statins they make us all take.

Hot water bottle on your shoulder blades might help. Magnesium oil is good rubbed in.(Buy magnsesium chloride and dissolve it yourself lots cheaper) Magnesuim sulphate epsom salts does similar job but is expensive to fill a bath.

If you supplement use mag thorate -but this is expensive- people say i already take mag but they don't, old people don't absorb it plus they always shoot for the cheapest option.

Old people are mostly deficient in all the same things- mag- b12-folate etc.

However having always been a bit of health know-all ,it didn't save me from a bypass op.

[Truffles2 in reply to bagsypartime]

Thank you for that insight, I was supposed to start Cardiac rehab last week but it was put off till this coming week so will talk to them about upper body exercises I can do

[Seal59]

It’s still early days. I remember 3 months being a turning point for my husband. He missed out on Cardiac Rehab but I’m sure they will be very helpful and able to advise you.

[Gail1967]

yeah definitely takes a while for things to feel like they are back in the right place. I did gentle stretching & tried to relax that area but it took time to make it feel less achy. Once I got back to exercise including weights for building strength it definitely improved - good luck

[APC65]

I am 9 weeks post triple CABG and still have shoulder / left arm pain. I have seen physio and they have given some exercises to do. They think in my case it's the nerve damage in chest so issue is neurological which will improve as the nerves heal. I hope you get some help/ advice soon.

[Handel]

Hello Truffles2. It was 14 weeks after my hubby's quad bypass that he felt the pain and discomfort in his shoulders and back finally disappear. It didn't help that his op was in November and the weather was damp and cold!!! You'll get there in the end. Some gentle exercises will help. Good luck and all the best. Jan xxxx

[DavidKeith52]

Hi Truffles2, I had frozen shoulder both sides after my CABGx3. The pysio at cardiac rehab gave me stretching exercises and I did them under hot running water in the shower. It took about 6 weeks but I eventually got rid of the frozen shoulder. She also told me that I could get cortisone injections but I didn’t fancy that. Good luck with your recovery.

[AndyM69]

Hi there

Just my take on this topic, I'm nearly 3 years post quadruple CABG and found the shoulder and back pains quite bad to be honest.

The thing to remember is your have been on your back with your arms pulled back over you head and have probably had a minimum of 6 hours surgery where your chest was opened. All of this has a major effect on the body and takes some time to recover. We are advised not to do any lifting for 12 weeks to allow the breastbone will heal.

I didn't have cardiac rehab as it was during Covid, however I attended after having stents done some years earlier and the bypass patients were on limited rehab until after 12 weeks.

I'd say take your time, stay as active as is comfortable but go at your own pace, everyone is different and don't see the 12 weeks that is referred to as a goal to aim for. I found that my body was changing and getting used to what had happened for many months after the surgery. You've had major surgery, so give yourself time to recover.

I would also go to the cardiac rehab if it's offered, even after stenting it was very informative and will give you the opportunity to speak to qualified nurses and ask any questions that you have. They will adjust any exercises for your point in recovery and make sure you are safe.

Hope this helps.

All the best.

Andrew