Query: when to exercise

Hi. I had my PM implanted last Dec 16, 2015. There is no pain in the incision area but there is tightness around it up to the armpit. I am already worrying that I might have a frozen shoulder. When can I exercise my arm to relieve me of this tight feeling? What is the best exercise or stretching for me. I am 61 y/o.

4 Comments

Minimal stuff

by Theknotguy - 2015-12-29 04:12:52

You don't want to do too much until the implant wound heals. The surface will heal first, then more healing underneath. You don't want to do anything that will break the wound open. That can start a possible infection which will give you a lot of trouble.

At first, all I did was to move my arms around. I'd go from straight out from my sides to both hands clasped in front of my chest with the arms extended. Just enough to keep everything moving.

After the implant wound healed I'd use one and two pound weights and do similar exercises as I indicated before.

If it is at all possible that you can work with a physical therapist they can suggest quite a few exercises that will stretch out the scar tissue and exercise the muscles with minimal pain. They also have stretch bands of various strengths that you can use.

I was pretty banged up so I didn't get back to working in the wood shop until seven months. It was nine months before I was back to doing "normal" stuff.

Up until I could use the arms I did a lot of walking. It helped with the heart condition, got everything moving, and helped overall.

I hope everything else goes well for you.

arm movement

by Tracey_E - 2015-12-29 11:12:36

Don't raise it above shoulder level, don't lift anything heavy for another month or so. Other than that, try to use the arm normally. If it's getting tight, try a heating pad on low. If it swells, try ice. Or sometimes alternating feels best, experiment and see. .

Healing process

by monkeyman - 2015-12-30 02:12:41

Don't push it. Allow the site to heal for a while. Your body has to adjust to the pacemaker implant and internal scaring around the pacemaker takes time. The more you move, the longer it will take to heal. Please be patient. All will go better with time. Consult your cardiologist for an appointment with a physical therapist. Had some good exercises that helped emensly with my recovery. With just two sessions, I had the information necessary to complete therapy on my own.

moving

by Tracey_E - 2015-12-31 02:12:50

If you do not move while you are healing, you can pretty much guarantee you will end up in physical therapy. If nothing else is going on, there is no reason anyone should end up in therapy just from getting a pacer. It's a very minor surgery and the recovery has very few restrictions on movement.

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