shoulder frozen up for lack of use

Has anyone else had the problem of their shoulder freezing up from not being able to use it or lift it...for weeks after their pacemaker was put in?  If so, what worked for them to slowly get it back to normal use with out the crunching and pain?  I see i my booklet and directions Im not supposed to use heat in the area of my pacemaker, but feel like the heat just might help?  Im wondering if I put a heating pad on my rear shoulder, behind where my pacemaker is if that would be ok and far enough from the pacemaker.  I hate to keep taking Motin...because its tearing up my stomach.  Thanks

4 Comments

shoulder

by Cabg Patch - 2017-01-18 16:35:05

It's actually called frozen shoulder syndrome, and I guess nobody told you not to immobilize your arm. People getting a device implanted should use the arm, so as to prevent frozen shoulder, just avoid raising it above shoulder level. Worst pain I've had. Exercise is best to resolve it.

A good exercise is to stand in a doorway with your affected arm close to the frame. With the arm extended straight down, push outward and up against the doorway frame as hard as possible  using your hand to make contact. I would suggest you contact a physical therapist for a good list of exercises, and if you are going to take anything don't do motrin, use tylenol. Motrin isn't good for heart patients.

pt

by Tracey_E - 2017-01-18 21:11:16

A few trips to physical therapy will get you back on track. You are healed enough that heat and/or ice over it is perfectly fine. The only thing to avoid is massage right over it. 

 

Frozen shoulder

by DampDog - 2017-01-19 05:53:19

I'm actually seeing the physio with a frozen shoulder at the moment. Even though I was aware that I should keep my shoulder as mobile as possible it still locked-up some 6 months or so post op, and is pretty painful at the moment. Talking to the physio was quite interesting, obviously keeping your shoulder moving will help, but won't always stop the condition developing. Simply having your shoulder pinned in the same position for a couple of hours during the op can be enough to trigger the condition.

There are some good exercises mixed in with the usual quackery on YouTube, but the long and the short of it is it's going to take a few weeks or even months to resolve. I found warming my shoulder prior to any exercise helped with mobility a little and also with the pain. Likewise don't go at it like a bull in a china shop or it will end up hurting more. 

Frozen shoulder

by bucky - 2017-01-19 13:13:29

Thanks for the advise! Sorry to hear Im not the only one.  I was told not to use my left arm any higher than my shoulder and no lifting or pushing or pulling motions...and this is the result after 6 weeks of doing what I was asked, and after 2 months now since my surgery, I am in trouble and better hop on this!  Thanks again.

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