TENS units

I have a Medtronic pacemaker. I am scheduled for knee surgery in two weeks. I visited the surgeon yesterday. They started to instruct me on the use of an electrical stimulation unit for post operative knee pain and recovery. The unit sends out little shocks. I reminded them I had a pacemaker. Whoops! The instruction stopped because the electrical stimulation system (TENS) and the pacemaker are incompatible. The doctor knew I had a pacemaker. Just a reminder that we're our best defense against bad medicine.

7 Comments

TENS UNIT & PMs

by J.B. - 2011-02-25 04:02:55

Show this to your Dr. Odds are you have a bipolar PM as unipolar PMs are seldom used anymore. Or better yet get him to talk to your cardiologist.  

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a method often used to relieve pain. If you have a bipolar pacemaker, TENS units generally do not affect your pacemaker in a negative manner. If you have a unipolar pacemaker, a TENS unit can interfere with your pacemaker. This can be resolved by reprogramming your pacemaker. If you are not certain what type of pacemaker you have, ask your doctor before undergoing therapy with a TENS unit.

TENS OK

by TwoCents - 2011-02-25 08:02:43

I have a dual chamber pacemaker. I've used a TENS and had it checked by pacemaker tech. There was no problem at all and I am pacemaker dependent. The only problem was that the TENS didn't work for my pain!

Couldn't have said it better

by ElectricFrank - 2011-02-25 08:02:44

Just don't use the TENS on your left shoulder.

frank

i am glad I read this

by veronika - 2011-02-26 05:02:34

hi lessachs,
I am glad I read this. I have a dual chamber PM and am scheduled for a knee replacement in june. Glad to have read your post because I have an interview with the surgeon on march 10 so I can ask him "intelligent" questions. thank you for alerting me to the probabilities.
I had to wait for this surgery because the doc did not want to operate until my heart "issues" are resolved.
anybody else to wait for another procedure because of the PM implantation?? I must admit, I rather would have a general anaesthetic then a spinal? anybody has experience with this?
thanks

Back again

by lessachs - 2011-03-02 01:03:04

My doctor refuses to use a TENS unit regardless of the make or model. I'll do my best without it. Also, I think I was too harsh in calling this situation bad medicine. They should have been more alert. It is, more than anything, a lesson for me to know what's going on regarding my health care.

PM and surgery/Veronika

by lessachs - 2011-03-02 01:03:36

The day after by PM implant the doctors said I would be ok for the knee surgery. I'm cleared for it this Monday; just three weeks after the PM insertion. I noted in another post that my orthopedic surgeon refuses to allow a TENs unit because of my PM even though other posters have said it is no problem. Good luck.

other treatment

by wandoloswki - 2011-09-22 08:09:22

Is there another treatment other than tens anyway to treat pain?

You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker interferes with your electronic scale.

Member Quotes

The pacer systems are really very reliable. The main problem is the incompetent programming of them. If yours is working well for you, get on with life and enjoy it. You probably are more at risk of problems with a valve job than the pacer.