Exercises after hemithyroidectomy?

[RiaRiver]

Hello - I had a hemithyroidectomy on Tuesday.

All went to plan and the scar appears to be healing well and it's nice to not have a big lump pressing on my windpipe!

My neck is very tight and it's hard to move it left/right/up/down. I'm a little bit worried about the scar healing too tightly if you see what I mean. I'm really hunched over and find it hard to stand up straight.

I wasn't given any info when I was discharged about whether I needed to do any gentle exercises. The only info I was given was to keep my wound dry until the stitches were due to come out.

Should I be doing anything to keep the area active? I found a pdf from Guys Hospital about gentle stretching exercises but it doesn't say when you should start doing them?

Any tips would be gratefully appreciated!

Thanks

[Greekchick]

Hi RiaRiver,

The neck is a very fragile area. Before doing any stretching, I would consult with a physiotherapist and make sure the stretching they gave you is the right way to do things.

Also you are so fresh from surgery - be very careful what you do. What worked for me - and you will have to try it to see - was to apply a heat pack to the back of the neck every 3-4 hours for about 15 minutes. I also applied a little topical Voltaren to the back of the neck according to package directions. NOTHING ON THE FRONT NEAR YOUR INCISION!

It is normal for the neck to pull in the front during recovery. Whatever you do, tiny tiny movements and very gentle! I spoke to my physio and got some safe movements to do , but that was not right after surgery - I am 9 weeks post TT.

I know how it feels to have the neck hurt and it is so uncomfortable - I hesitate to recommend any kind of medication to anyone because I don’t know your medical situation - I took some Tylenol for a few days until the neck felt a little better.

If your neck feels that bad , you may want to check with your MD as well - the discomfort may have come from the position you were in during surgery. Also, a neck roll is very good for supporting the neck - I tried to stay upright in bed when sleeping for about a week after surgery with my neck supported - this helped me too.

Bottom line - be cautious and gentle with your neck! You should move it normally, but no extreme movements.

Wishing you a speedy recovery and hope you feel better soon!

[RiaRiver in reply to Greekchick]

Thanks so much for your response Greekchick! I'm just sitting with a heat pack on the back of my neck as I type.

Yes you're right to urge caution - I just had a worry as I was discharged with literally no information about self care.

I'm taking ibuprofen and paracetamol so not in any pain which is good! Perhaps I'll make contact with physio after the easter weekend or after I've had my stitches taken out.

The only other side effect from the operation is no voice but from what I've read this is pretty common and should return in the coming months.

[Greekchick in reply to RiaRiver]

Sounds like you are doing your best to be comfortable! Just to mention , I hope your surgeon checked your vocal cords with the probe so that you know whether or not there was any damage. But it takes time for voice to come back to full use . Best wishes to you!

[RiaRiver in reply to Greekchick]

Thanks. I didn't actually see my surgeon before I left the hospital but the discharge doctor said everything went as planned so I'm assuming, for now, that they did do that 🤞

I'll have a check up with the surgeon in 6 weeks time so fingers crossed my voice will be a bit stronger and I'll check with him then.

[Dinkers]

Hi I had the same experience I wasn't informed on discharge about anything apart from clips being removed after three days my knowledge came from the internet as in pdfs also from other hospital websites and my practice nurse who told me not to get my scar wet at all for at least 10 days regards exercise try not to stiffen neck gentle movements in the early stages don't overdo anything and take advice from physio I was never given that option please look after yourself xx

[RiaRiver in reply to Dinkers]

Thanks for your reply Dinkers

It's such a shame that there isn't any standard of care so that some of us aren't left wondering what we should be doing.

My neck does seem to be loosening daily so I'm getting some movement back which is good. I'm just doing little movements moving my head left and right but without pulling or stretching anything.

[Dinkers in reply to RiaRiver]

Hi RiaRiver it is a great shame there's no imformatin for patients to take home i feel its a case of there done by byby. It's good to hear your taking things slowly just remember to take things at your own pace you will heal in your own time were all different btw I used Bio oil to help minimise the look of my scar. Take care x

[SilverAvocado]

I had my surgery 6 years ago, Monday is my anniversary. Everything you say about stiffness is familiar. I didn't do any exercise at all shortly after my operation, and I don't have any issues with it now for stretching.

I felt quite squeamish about my scar site for about a year afterwards, so didn't mess about with it at all. I didn't use anything like heat packs, creams, etc.

[RiaRiver in reply to SilverAvocado]

Thanks SilverAvocado - That's good to know that you have healed well and no problems with stretching your neck now. Your insight is really helpful.

[SilverAvocado in reply to RiaRiver]

Thanks for letting me know it was useful!

Try not to worry too much; at the moment you're in the real chaotic time and all you can do is ride it out. Do whatever you need to do just to stay sane and be as comfortable as you can.

Good luck! x

[Girl6789]

Hello, had a completion in January and had a hemi in August 17 had very little info given to me after as well. I remember surgeon saying to keep it moving after hemi and really struggling but found that actually the main thing stopping the movement was the stitches and as soon as they were removed it improved a lot. Had no stitches after completion just glue and movement was much better. Might just have been me but might be better when stitches are removed. Hope it all improves soon!

[RiaRiver in reply to Girl6789]

Thank you! Yes once the stitches are out I think it'll definitely help. They're due to come out on Friday (it should have been Wednesday but I couldn't get an earlier appointment. I'm finding that the movement is slowly coming back which is reassuring. I'm not so hunched over all the time and can nearly sit up straight!

[RiaRiver]

I just thought I'd update in case it's useful for anyone in the future.

Nine days since the operation and I've pretty much got full movement back in my neck. It's still a little tight turning my head left and right, but I'm sure that'll reduce over time.

Looking forward to getting the stitches out tomorrow!

Still no voice but I know that this is going to take time to return.