Movements after pacemaker / icd insertion...

[Maradona10]

Morning all, I'm about to have an icd fitted. At present I haven't been able to find good guidance on movements with my left arm that are deemed OK... Or appropriate exercises to ensure my shoulder doesn't freeze up. Can anyone help?

[mountaintops]

Hi Maradona10

Your medical team will provide you with instructions about this and about wound care before you leave hospital - if they don't, ask and keep on asking. However just as an example it's usually along the lines of don't raise your elbow on that side above shoulder height (no stretching up high) and don't reach it around behind you (eg as you might to scratch an itchy back), don't lift anything much heavier than a full kettle and these restrictions usually last for about four to six weeks and the go ahead to return to more normal use will usually come at your first check up. BUT whilst staying within whatever guidelines you'll be given, do keep using it as normally as possible to avoid the dreaded frozen shoulder.

I found the youtube videos posted by Douglas Rachac a former Medtronics employee very useful and reassuring.

Hope everything goes well for you.

[Maradona10 in reply to mountaintops]

Thanks buddy

[SchnauzerOtto]

You should restrict movements in the first 6 weeks to avoid the leads becoming dislodged BUT keep moving your left arm within the possible range . I was overly cautious, stayed in bed too much, didn't move the arm...and got a blood clot!!

[Bruce67]

Go on the BHF website, they have some good advice and you can download or order leaflets for a number of areas. They have two on ICD implants, one is very brief and one very thorough.i have them both.

[EMBoy]

I was told to make circular movements with my left shoulder without lifting my arm. They didn't tell me how often or for how long to do it, so I just did it for a minute or so every couple of hours.

Otherwise, just carry on with normal activities as long as you don't do any heavy lifting or raising your arm above your head for at least 4 weeks. You will probably occasionally lift your arm accidentally - I know I did, but I was told no to worry as long as I wasn't stretching my arm.

If you discuss this with your clinical team, they will give you all the help and advice you need.

You may be amazed at how quickly everything heals and you will be back to doing normal things before you know it.

[Maradona10 in reply to EMBoy]

Thanks. Yes I am relying on the march of time to get me through this bit. I struggle to be the patient patient.

[EMBoy in reply to Maradona10]

I know how you feel. I couldn't wait to get back to work, but my boss (who has had some heart issues himself) insisted I take 4 weeks off. My wife found me plenty of things to do around the house though, so it made the time go quicker. I've never done so much ironing in my life.

I need to add that my implant was just a pacemaker, not an ICD but I think the recovery is similar in both cases.