Arm stiffness

[Kazzacrazy]

Hi everyone I'm a week post op after a lobectomy and really struggling with arm stiffness. I had a few post surgery complications including surgical emphysema which is now subsiding. I also had an air leak so have been discharged home with a chest drain 😢 the worse part is I can't move my arm it's so stiff and painful it feels like I'm holding a brick under my armpit. Consultant said its normal, but it wasn't mentioned in any of my consultations it's so frustrating. Has anybody else suffered with this problem and how long did it last? Is there anything I can do to relieve it? Tia.

[Lyubov]

I'm wondering if the chest drain isn't the culprit, but don't know what the solution to that is. Call your medical team. At minimum, you should be given something to alleviate the pain, I would think. Best of luck

[JanetteR57]

Are you doing the physio exercises suggested to move/rotate your arm? is it the arm on the side of surgery? A week is no time at all post surgery and things will settle down. Surgery is trauma to the body where nerves/muscles are moved and disturbed whether keyhole or open surgery. This recently updated publication has expected milestones/recovery hints and tips which you may find helpful. It suggests some exercises in here too. the main thing is to keep active. good luck with your recovery. roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...

[Kazzacrazy in reply to JanetteR57]

Thanks for your reply physio said just to try a little movement at a time as its so restricted! Yes it's the surgery side and have a cut under my arm pit! I will read the link you sent thanks again.

[JanetteR57]

My open thoracotomy was in Dec 2010 and keyhole wasn't available back then. I did all the exercises, walked - slowly at first and not far but built it up everyday. however a combination I think of exercises and showering every day meant my wound started to open up at the bottom so I had to have it 'packed'. I was too scared to go swimming (my regular exercise) given the impact that a brief daily shower had so waited for my next follow on appointment at the end of March 2011 to ask the surgeon whether I could return to swimming. He looked horrified that I hadn't been and said it would be painful as they'd cut muscles/rib during my surgery and they would have shortened on healing without the exercises/movement. I went back to swimming and as he'd suggested I was unable to move my arm enough to do front crawl or backstroke on the surgical side and that visit, just lay on my back sculling my arms at the side for 20 lengths. The next day I did a few more, then a few more and so on so by the time I saw him in July, I was back to my 130 lengths pre surgical distance and able to do front crawl and backstroke somewhat ungainly but able to do them nevertheless.

I went onto raise funds for Roy Castle charity with my swimming in a close friend's memory and swam much further than I ever had previously despite being a regular distance swimmer since 1990.

Hopefully that will encourage and reassure you that in time, and with progressive gentle easing back into activity, movement and capacity can improve and doesn't need to define your life.

good luck.

[LizC123 in reply to JanetteR57]

Thanks for this!! I started getting a sore arm/shoulder 2 months after my lobectomy by which time I’d given up doing the shoulder exercises. My GP says it’s fibrosis of the muscle and has referred me for physio. Now I’ve seen your message- I’ll start exercising the shoulder myself while I’m waiting- you’ve given me hope!!

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi Kazzacrazy, thank you for contacting us , I think JanetteR57 has comprehensively covered many of the relevant points in response to your post . At this stage in your recovery from surgery it would not be unexpected to have some arm stiffness as previously suggested . I note you have had advice from a physiotherapist and are aware that gentle exercise is recommended. If your arm is discoloured , inflamed or swollen or if you are experiencing any fevers or chills i would recommend you seek urgent medical advice.

If you require any further information or support you can contact us on 0333 323 7200 . All our information booklets can be found on this link: roycastle.org/help-and-supp... My Lung Surgery booklet has a section on post srgical timelines and shoulder exercises that may be of some help. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

[Kazzacrazy]

Thank you all for your comments. I went to the gp for more meds so mentioned it to her. She seems to think it's because of the position I've been in during my op. I also have a big cut under my arm which is now swollen so that won't help. I'm back at the hospital Monday for my chest drain removal so will talk to them about it. Thanks again everyone x

[Kazzacrazy]

# update....Unfortunately, I have what's called scapula winging, which can happen when the thoracic nerve is either bruised or damaged 😢 if its only bruised, the physio will help, but if its permanent damage there's nothing they can do. I'm starting chemo in a couple of weeks so I need to focus on that for now.

[JanetteR57 in reply to Kazzacrazy]

keep on keeping on.... and keep as active as you can for your mind and body's sake!