Limited Arm Movement

I am 4 weeks post op of my dual chamber pcaemaker implant. I know I can't move my arm above my shoulder height, and i dont plan to until i get cleared from my doctors, but I am having trouble raising my arm in general. I can barely get it to shoulder height with my arm straight out beside me. It feels like the muscles are really tight and it cant go any higher. Is this normal? 

4 Comments

arm movement

by Tracey_E - 2019-04-08 09:45:45

Have you been moving it all along? Other than not lifting it high, it's important to use it normally while we are healing so the shoulder doesn't freeze. Ask your doctor for some stretches to get it moving again, maybe a trip or two to a pt. 

Response to Tracey_E

by pocketofsunshine - 2019-04-08 10:17:10

Hi Tracey_E, thank you for commenting.

I have been moving it to the best of my ability as normally as I can, when first getting out of surgery I couldn't even lift to put on a shirt. I don't believe it is frozen shoulder as their is no pain in the shoulder part. I should also probably note that the pacemaker is sitting behind my muscle in my left shoulder. 

pt

by Tracey_E - 2019-04-08 12:57:13

I would ask for some PT, get a professional to tell you the best way to get it moving again.  

Me too!

by GO03090614 - 2019-04-11 00:38:35

I had the same thing! It was so hard for me to lift my arm on the side the pacemaker was placed that I would have to use my other arm to lift that arm up! My shoulder was also super sore when I would wake up in the morning until I moved it around a bit. That was the worst part if recovery for me. But I dont have that pain at all anymore. So hang in there, I bet it will get better.

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