Exercise Shoulder/Arm Instructions

Hello,
I would like to know if anyone was given information to exercise their arm and/or shoulder when they were dismissed from getting the pacemaker?
I understand the doctor or at dismissal tells a person to excercise so you don't have a frozen shoulder. Is this true for most of you?
Thanks for any input.
Don

4 Comments

Frozen shoulder

by bini - 2008-06-04 09:06:20

After my PM surgery I did get frozen shoulder, bc I hardly moved it due to fear from pulling a lead.
I mentioned the frozen shoulder to my EP who said that it happens alot to people. He told me too put my stand near a wall, and climb the wall with my fingers until my arm is at shoulder hight...NO HIGHER. This helped me alot. If you don't have froaen shoulder my suggestion would be to move it as you normally would but make sure it does not go above your shoulder.
Good luck, and hope this helps!
Christine

where to find exercises

by junebinflorida - 2008-06-04 11:06:58

joy11 mentions website for exercises for shoulder mobility. can you recommend some? do they specifically address the pacemaker issue?
I, too , was cautioned about frozen shoulder but wonder if five days out from the implant is too soon to do
"shoulder circles" or some other mild exercise?

Use it normally, but remember rules

by Swedeheart - 2008-06-04 12:06:04

My doctor told me to use my arm normally, EXCEPT not to raise it above my shoulder, or lift anything more than 4 or 5 pounds for 6 weeks. I used it for "normal daily activity" except following those rules. It worked well for me, my arm has not given me any trouble... the most "issue" I had was not being able to sleep on my left side at all. I am now at 100 days since implant and I can finally sleep on the left side a little. The issue isn't really my arm, but it is just uncomfortable when I put my whole body weight on the pacemaker side.

Good luck!

Swedeheart

Frozen shoulder

by joy1 - 2008-06-04 12:06:35

Frozen shoulder can occur when the shoulder joint develops adhesions from not moving your shoulder around. We are told not to raise our arms (shoulder to elbow) above shoulder height for several weeks. Actually, the surgeon I have been talking to said scar tissue doesn't build up and secure the wires and leads for about 6 months. Until the scar tissue builds up it is relatively easy to dislodge them. There are web sites available which show exercises that will help to retain mobility. There is always the chance that frozen shoulder can still develop and also that it can develop in the other shoulder as well. So keep moving but be careful.

Joy

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