Nerve pain following insertion

I just had an ALTRUA 60 EL pacemaker installed in the front of my left shoulder about three days ago. There is practically no pain at all where the incision was made, but I feel as if I have a "pinched nerve" right in my shoulder. I have some numbness in my left hand that is there all the time. The nerve pain in my shoulder joint runs right down my arm when I make certain normal arm motions. There is also sometimes pain across the shoulder blade in the back, and I think this is just a muscle cramp from holding my shoulder in a position where there is no nerve pain. I've been careful to limit my arm motion as directed. So, does this sound familiar to anyone? Is this a somewhat common temporary symptom? Did the surgeon mess up my brachial nerves which are just behind the pacemaker? Any feedback is appreciated.

2 Comments

Brachail Nerve, Hmmmmm Probably NOT

by donr - 2012-08-25 09:08:28

Symptoms sound wrong.

Here's what I found in Wikipedia:
"Nerve damage to the brachial plexus can interfere with signal transmission along the affected nerve. When this occurs, people with brachial nerve damage can experience sensations of numbness or weakness within the affected arm. These brachial nerve damage symptoms can affect a person's ability to move or use the affected arm normally. Numbness or weakness can occur sporadically and can persist for several days in cases of severe brachial nerve damage.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/167818-brachial-nerve-damage-symptoms/#ixzz24YfoFCqA"

Usually it's the radial nerve that gets affected during PM insertion. The symptoms are tingling/numbness in the thumb, index, first & INSIDE of the ring finger.

To see where the Radial nerve runs, with respect to the insertion point in the Subclavian vein, Google on "Subclavian vein;" Go to the top entry - should be the Wikipedia entry. Click on that & the article will have illustrations. Scroll down till they come up & select the left photo in the second row. There are a ton of nerves right around the vein in question. Granted, the median nerve is on top, but your symptoms sound wrong for that one being pinched (or whatever). The median nerve gives people the fun 'n games of carpal tunnel syndrome.

I have radial nerve symptoms all the time, but from a car accident, causing grief where it comes out of the spinal column. Mine comes & goes, & I can make it happen or fix it by positioning my shoulder.

If you can influence its occurrence, it should be temporary, but only your surgeon or a good neurologist can tell you for sure as to where the injury/impingement occurrs.

Don

That could be it...

by rovercar - 2012-08-25 10:08:36

Thanks for your comments, Don. I'm hoping that the area was just a little traumatized and that these symptoms will clear up in a few days. It's difficult to describe the sensations, but the radial nerve could well be the culprit. It's been four days since the insertion, and I'll probably touch base with my doc's office on Monday.

You know you're wired when...

You participate in the Pacer Olympics.

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