post CABG recovery - painful arm

[Beckimo]

hi there!

I am 53, female and 16 days post double CABG, spent 7 days in hospital and have been recovering at home since. I am mobile, pottering about and making a good recovery generally.

In the last week, my left arm and shoulder have really started aching, like I’ve been carrying a big bag of shopping around (I haven’t done anything strenuous). It feels better with movement or massage but can be painful when just sitting still!

Anyone else experienced this? Is this normal? GP thinks it’s mechanical but no other explanation.

[BeKind28-]

Hello

I am so pleased your recovery is going so well

The arm and shoulder pain is something a lot if us suffer from after Bypass operations

I am not sure if you have ever looked at how the op is done and maybe it is better not to but they have you arms in a stretched up position for maybe 6 hours or more which is the result sometimes of getting this kind of pain even if a couple of weeks later

Hopefully it should settle down but if you find it doesn't either speak with your Doctor , Rehab Nurses or you could give the BHF Nurses a ring x

Heart Helpline team on 0300 330 3311 Mon-Fri 9-5pm

[Beckimo in reply to BeKind28-]

thank you! I haven’t seen how they do it. Maybe I’ll hop on YouTube and have a look. Thanks so much for your useful response xx

[BeKind28- in reply to Beckimo]

Hello

I never looked before I had my op but then some while after I did not sure if it made me feel good for looking or not so make sure you want to before you do x

[Snowflake01]

Similarly my left shoulder was really stiff 2-4 weeks post op, really quite sore when putting a T-shirt on. Eventually eased 🙂, so hopefully yours is the same.

[Beckimo]

thanks snowflake. Did you ever get to the bottom of it? Or just one of those things?

[Snowflake01 in reply to Beckimo]

Not really, just one of those many pains / aches in the first few weeks... it does get better. I'm nearly 4 months post op now and those early days are seeming to be more of a distant memory! Hope the recovery goes well - it is a long steady road, so keep positive 👍👍

[DWizza]

Hi Beckimo, I had a pain inbetween my shoulders , deep in my back and a pain in left shoulder . it was painful during the night when I stretched or arched my back . It concerned me, I was told that it from the procedure( 4xcabg ), left arm pinned back . The pains have gone , I’m just over a year post surgery .

[BlindRef]

Hi Beckimo - similar to others , I was informed the pain occured due to the position of the arm during operation - 6 month later I could still not raise my left arm above shoulder level .Dr Santana to physio - I had developed a frozen shoulder ! Exercises / pain relief pain now subsided - a lot better /stronger however still the occasional twinge - best wishes for your continued recovery

[Nelson71 in reply to BlindRef]

My GP referred me to a physio who gave me exercises to do which have helped tremendously

[BlindRef]

Sent - not santana

[Nelson71]

they bend that arm into all sorts of unnatural positions during surgery. I had all sorts of abrasions on my arms, legs and body. Some looked like nails digging into my skin. When you’re unconscious you’re literally a dead weight and they want to get the operation done as fast and efficiently as possible. Sometimes they have to be a bit rough with us. Hence, the pain in your arm/shoulder.

[Jedi14]

After an operation your body as a whole will be much more tender than usual! It will need longer time to settle down before you are able to lift things without causing minor injuries, sprains and bruising.

[Beckimo]

thanks everyone. I am still in pain, but am definitely reassured!!

[Carsry]

Haia

I had a double bypass29th January, and can confirm pain in upper arm, shoulder and upper back was something I encountered post op.

On a positive side, it dies get better, I would say it eased off after around weeks, but everyone's recovery journey is different . Wishing you well in yours xx

[Billett]

My left shoulder is great but my right shoulder is bad havi g to have physio on it rotator cuff damage and my strength is back but my tendons hurt .ost probably caused by surgery.or it didnt help