“Did Your Sternum and Shoulder Click After Heart Valve Surgery?” Asks Dale
I just received a great email from Dale about sternum and shoulder clicking after open heart surgery.
Dale writes, “Hi Adam - I had my surgery on November 2, 2009. The surgeon replaced my bicuspid aortic valve (with a bovine tissue valve), the root aorta, and grafted a large piece of my ascending aorta. I have a question… I have some very occasional clicking in my sternum. However, I also have clicking in my right shoulder. It has become more intense, frequent and uncomfortable. Is this normal? Thank you for both the book and this blog! Dale Pfeiffer”
This email from Dale brought back some distinct memories from my early recovery.
Like Dale, I did experience sternum clicks from time-to-time as my sternum healed. In fact, one night I had Robyn (my wife) listen to my chest - as it clicked - to confirm that I wasn’t going crazy.
To ensure the “clicking” was not problematic, I discussed this noise with Dr. Starnes, my surgeon, who calmed my fears with two words, “That’s normal.”
Unlike Dale… I did not experience any clicking or pain in my shoulder. However, after I started cardiac rehab, I did meet several patients, including Ted, that often complained of shoulder pain.
What is very interesting about the timing of Dale’s email, is that two other emails in my inbox - from Brian J. and Craig R. - are also asking about the exact same issue… shoulder pain.
That said, I did some quick research. It appears that shoulder pain, like chest pain, is normal for patients. According to the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, “Some heart valve surgery patients experience pain in their chest and shoulder areas and become alarmed thinking it may be angina. This pain is usually due to muscle and bone aches.”
Still, I am curious to know how many, if any, of our patient readers can relate to Dale’s, Brian’s and Craig’s shoulder pain. So, my questions to you are, “Did you experience sternum clicking? Did you experience shoulder clicking? What about shoulder pain?”
To leave a comment, please click here. In advance, thanks for your help in our discussion of this topic!
Keep on tickin!
About The Author: Adam Pick is a double, heart valve surgery patient and author of The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. This unique book integrates the clinical facts of heart valve surgery with the personal experiences of 135 former valve surgery patients to help patients and caregivers better understand the problems, the opportunities and the realities of heart valve surgery. To learn more about Adam and his heart valve surgery book, click here.
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February 3rd, 2010 at 5:52 pm
Hello Adam,
Read your book and found it very informative. Had surgery on Dec. 14th for
a bicuspid aortic valve. It was replaced with a bovine valve. I’m now in the 3rd
week of cardiac rehab and have experienced shoulder pain now. Before I started rehab I had occasional pain in one shoulder.
February 3rd, 2010 at 5:57 pm
Marilyn W. Says:
February 3rd, 2010 at 5:52 pm
Hello Adam,
Read your book and found it very informative. Had surgery on Dec. 14th for
a bicuspid aortic valve. It was replaced with a bovine valve. I’m now in the 3rd
week of cardiac rehab and have experienced shoulder pain now. Before I started rehab I had occasional pain in one shoulder.
February 3rd, 2010 at 6:12 pm
Hi all…
I had shoulder spasms that affected both sides, but not in any predictable manner. The spasms started while I was still in the hospital and bringing to the attention to the nurses, they explained that the reason was that during the surgery, the position of the arms are down and back at an almost unnatural angle causing great strain on the muscles during the 4 hour surgery. So as they heal, they tend to revolt and go into spasms. I found that sleeping on an ice pack under each shoulder blade would alleviate the occurances and give me a good nights sleep.
February 3rd, 2010 at 6:19 pm
I had the same (almost identical) surgery as Dale on November 23, 2009. I did not have the sternum clicking, but about the sixth week of recovery I did experience an excruciating pain in my left shoulder and back for about three days.
The odd thing was that during those days my sternum had absolutely no pain at all, but the pain in my shoulder was so intense I could not sleep lying down and sometimes even breathing hurt. I was about to make an appointment to see the doctor when something shifted and the pain in the shoulder and back left and I was left with a return of slight pain (more like discomfort) in the sternum again. By the beginning of the seventh week the pain in the sternum was considerably less and now after the nineth week is barely noticeable. Though I do still need to take some OTC pain relievers to keep the feeling of being runover at bay.
February 3rd, 2010 at 6:23 pm
My sternum was cracked open but it never clicked after the operation. I don’t know what Mass General used but there were no staples or stitches to take out. My upper back hurt for quite some time. I attribute it to the possibility that my shoulders were arched back during the operation. At 64, I’m still able to run faster than a few 20 somethings. No pain, no gain.
February 3rd, 2010 at 6:25 pm
I developed right shoulder pain about 6 months after my surgery. I went to my chiropractor and she said it is not unusual to get shoulder and neck pain after surgery and it can be related to the anesthesia. More recently, I have had a variety of other minor symptoms (intense deep pain down my right arm, flickering vision if I get hungry, and a tension just below my sternum that can affect my breathing). Again I went to the chiropractor and she said my cranium is out of alignment which can also be related to a major surgery. One appointment with her has already given some relief to these symptoms. I need several more appointments to get things back in shape but it gave me huge reassurance to learn that all these seemingly unrelated symptoms are likely related to the side effects of anesthesia.
February 3rd, 2010 at 6:44 pm
I had surgery for an aortic valve repair on October 28, 2009. I experienced clicking or “popping” in my sternum for several weeks after surgery. Dr. Hockmuth recommended a Heart Hugger Sternum Restraint Harness which I wore for several weeks. I no longer experience the sternum popping, but I continue to have some residual pain in my left shoulder. Dr. H explained that it was due to the strain on the shoulder muscles during surgery, and that it could sometimes take several months to recover completely. It’s really only a slight annoyance now and I control it with Tylenol.
February 3rd, 2010 at 6:44 pm
I have clicking which I believe is my clavicle shifting because they just kind of hang there. I also have a regular ache that occurs in my right front deltoid when I work out. I believe that is due to the beating my right pectoral muscle took in surgery when they spread the muscle to hook you into the heart lung bypass machine.
I am at about three months post surgery. I had my ascending aorta replaced as well as my aortic valve.
February 3rd, 2010 at 6:56 pm
I still have an ache on and off in front,if I move a certain way……I think it is how they sew you up…About the ticking …When I got my MITRO VALVE,(7 years + counting)…..MY BROTHER(also a DR.) asked the surgeon if he was putting a NOISY valve in……The DR. said,your sister can handle it……well,sometimes it helps put me to sleep…zzzz
February 3rd, 2010 at 7:10 pm
Dale:
This question brought back painful memories -
I certainly did have the clicking - and also the shoulder pain - but they are two distinctly different things -
the shoulder pain was worse than the incision - had it immediately following surgery - my shoulder dislocated - and had to be put back in place -
Not a favorite memory.
Dale - Have someone check your shoulder. The pain disappeared as soon as things were back in there proper place.
Paul
February 3rd, 2010 at 7:23 pm
I had the exact same surgeries as Dale. Except I have a mechanical valve. My surgery was on Jan 26 2009. I still experience sternum pain and “clicking”. I also pain under my left shoulder blade. I have no health insurance so I am unable to see a Dr. to receive any treatment for my pain. My cardiologist told me not to take Tylenol on a daily basis so I live with chronic pain. I also have pains throughout my body that can only be described as a muscle cramping sensation. It is very painful and comes out of nowhere. The pain usually last for 2 minutes and then is gone. It’s the same type of pain I had when I collapsed from my dissecting aortic aneurysm.
February 3rd, 2010 at 7:26 pm
AVR 12/01/10, developed pain in right shoulder about 3 to 4 weeks latter. Not bad during day when active but almost imposible to sleep when I’m laying down. Hope to get some answers in the next 10 days when I go to the Cleveland Clinic for my first post surgery check-up. Will keep posted.
February 3rd, 2010 at 7:39 pm
Hi All, You bet I had clicking and my Dr said it was because I was over doing. As to the shoulder pain I didn’t have it but I have had numb fingers index and middle due to them hitting the medial nerve. I had PT but the nails are still numb. Did anyone else have this and how long did it last. ,for me it has been 6 months and counting. Don’t worry about clicking just be aware of what you are doing that might cause it. Marlan
February 3rd, 2010 at 7:39 pm
Just had to comment. I had my aortic valve replaced, and aortic root repair done on January 5th 2009. I had more pain in my shoulder blades than I did from the incision itself. At times, it was almost unbearable, and I didn’t think it would go away. Thankfully, it did, and I now feel wonderful, and happy to have had my first year surgiversary with a good report. Hang in there, it gets much better.
February 3rd, 2010 at 7:42 pm
Hi Adam: Long time no write. My valve replacement was June 2008. I recently had a very unpleasant surprise, intense abdominal pain turned out to be a gangrenous gall bladder and failing appendix, and general pollution in the abdominal cavity. I was acutely aware thru all the diagnosis and recovery of my ‘nearby’ bovine valve and was very concerned about a possibly spreading infection. I told everyone who came near about my concerns and the surgeon and recovery team were excellent, so in the end, no worries - except for the massive cut in my belly - I now have a scar from my neck to my groin, when the two are viewed from a bit away. Incidentally the recovery ward staff were very interested in the bio-valve - I had many nursing visitors who just wanted a listen! Another observation, the lifting and body movement techniques I learned during my heart surgery helped a lot with mobility after the ‘gut check’.
As to this week’s query, I can’t say I have observed sternum clicking, though when I turn at night I sometimes ‘creak’. I had arthritus already in my shoulders so I cannot tell if pain and clicking there is new or not.
Keep on tickin’
Adrian B.
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:02 pm
I had worse than shoulder pain. When I awoke from the surgery my arm was completely numb and unresponsive. Apparently the positioning of my left arm caused a pinching of the ulnar? nerve which paralized it. It was two very scary days before any feeling returned. After a year of hard work it is getting better but still not back to normal. There is a numb area on the back of the upper arm still. And typing is still a bumble sometimes with the left hand.
The aortic valve and ascending aorta were replaced successfully.
I was told the anestheist should have been on top of the situation.
As to clicking, there was a little up until about 4 months. My cardio followup people said it shouldn’t go past 6 months a’clicking.
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:04 pm
Adam,
I too had shoulder clicking and not necessarily pain….even now after a year post-op I will occasionally have a shoulder issue, like something is moving back into place. I assumed it was connected to the sternum. It is just nice to know that it is happening to other patients as well. Jean Karloski
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:15 pm
I can’t remember exactly when I sent that question to Adam, but my sternum no longer clicks, and my shoulder is fine, too. Paul, I’m sure I didn’t have a dislocation (although the thought did occur to me), because the shoulder got better on its own. And Randy, I think you’re right about the clavicle — I had a fracture there as a kid, too, so I suppose that could have contributed.
I’m now three months post-op and feeling really good. My chest is still sore, however, and I’m still pretty limited in how much I can pick up without getting sorer.
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:19 pm
Hi Adam,
My surgery was on July 7, 2009. I don’t know about “clicking” because I am deafened, but after reading about should pain, I remember that my shoulder wasn’t really painful, but my shoulder and arm got achy and heavy. I always held my arm at a right angle to my body. That does not seem to happen any more, though.
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:42 pm
I had the Ross procedure 2 years ago and my sternum still clicks. It doesn’t hurt, but when I stretch or turn the right way, it will click/pop.
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:03 pm
After AVR on Dec. 29, 2008 I didn’t experience any clicking but did start having shoulder pain. Think about it - the bones and muscles takes a huge amount of abuse when getting cracked open like an egg and then held there for several hours with a steel crank mechanism! Not to mention I found I was carrying myself differently due to some post-op aches and paines.
I went to see my chiropractor as Amy (above) said she did. He very carelfully examined me and did some gentle but firm manipulation for my shoulders and ribs. He then gave me some very easy and basic exercises to do to rebuild my upper body muscle tone. Soon the shoulder pain went away. I know some people don’t believe in chiropractic, but as long as you know and trust the person, your experience can be very positive and productive.
Joe
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:39 pm
Although, I didn’t have sternum pain, my right shoulder and arm was very sore for about 6 weeks post surgery. I talked with my cardiologist a couple times and she reassured me since it was improving and I wasn’t having any other symptoms that it was from positioning from the surgery. She was right and said it was very common. I’m now 10 weeks from surgery & feeling much better but if I over do it my right arm & shoulder is the first to start aching. Hope this helps.
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:49 pm
I had my tricuspid valve replaced Oct. 23, 2009 (bovine tissue valve) and also experienced clicking in my sternum after surgery. This was my 3rd open heart surgery since childhood –I’m now 62 — so healing was a little more difficult. My surgeon was moderately concerned about the clicking and said to be very careful not to raise my elbows above my shoulders or lift anything heavier than 10 pounds for the first 8 weeks. It’s essentially a broken bone that has to heal and since you can’t put your chest in a cast, you have to be careful w/movement and strain on it. I took my doctor’s advice and the clicking in the sternum eventually went away. I also had pain in the sternum which eased about 7 or 8 weeks post-surgery and is now essentially gone. I had some shoulder clicking, too and still hear that now and then, but never had any shoulder pain. I also had, as a couple of other people mentioned, numbness in my left hand after surgery. My finger tips are still a little numb. Iwas also told that was from the strange position your arm is in during surgery.
BTW, your wonderful book was a big help to me before and after the surgery!
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:14 pm
Very interesting post today…I had a bovine valve replacement and aortic graft performed in October, 2008. I haven’t had the shoulder pain, but have experienced the sternum clicking during exercise class; I was doing a kind of “reverse crunch” while laying on a stability ball. It was kind of un-nerving and I stopped doing it…didn’t really hurt, but it was weird! It’s the only time that I’ve experienced it, but the responses here tell me that I wasn’t imagining things.
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:21 pm
Hi,
I had an aortic valve replacement, mechanical valve, on July 24, 2009 and was actually doing okay until I started getting more and more active….the discomfort in my chest got worse and worse and my cardiologist felt I had managed to have the sternum open a smidge and had some sort of inflammation in the chest….I seem to alternate between a painful sternum to shoulder or shoulder blades….
I have two extra ribs as some people have and I just chalk it up, the shoulder pain, to the surgery and this.
The surgeon also explained the sternum was now like a broken bone and ordered me to wear the binder I had worn from surgery on…it acts as a cast as best as it can, and because of my problem it would be best to continue wearing it.
I can’t drive comfortably without it most times, and if I don’t wear it I pay for it later that day….seems one foot forward one back for me.
Right now we are also trying to find out why as I’ve become more active I’ve also become breathless, going up five steps leaves me stopping to catch my breath and coughing…sometimes it’s just talking for more than a few minutes that does it to me…
For some reason I thought I’d be walking and even running by now…back to life as it was a few years back….
Soon I hope….but thank you for this information as some tidbits here have been very helpful….
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:30 pm
Hello. I had my BAV and ascending root repaired on Sept 10, 09. I’ve had a few sternum clicks, which I thought was normal. But now that it’s been mentioned, I’ve had discomfort in my shoulder area for a little while…I thought it was due to my cardiac rehab and shoulder presses. It’s not unbearable and happens randomly, but I thought I would pass it along.
February 4th, 2010 at 12:39 am
This is interesting. I had mitral valve repair and atrial/septal aneurysm repair in July 2008 by minimally invasive surgery. The worst pain I had with the entire process was my left shoulder and that was after I got home. It was very painful and I was told that it was probably “frozen shoulder” which happens often after heart surgery. I continued to exercise and it gradually got better but it still clicks when I exert myself. I don’t have the same range of motion as the other shoulder but it is a lot better that it was. It will get better!
February 4th, 2010 at 2:32 am
I had my bi-cuspid valve and ascending aorta replaced on Jan 19 2009..I was 58 yrs old……I too had the clicking for months, but..all gone now…
However, my right pectoral has hurt since the surgery…was numb for a while too…and if I lean my elbow on a table, and rest my chin in my hand, my chin hurts…and a small pain–nothing overwhelming–runs down my neck and into my sternum…i am assuming it may be temp. nerve damage or irritation…
I was open for 8 hrs, and that’s a lot of tugging on your chest muscles…and I know that some things take years to get back to normal….
But now…….I can hike the hills of SANTORINI Greece and NOT LOOSE MY BREATH!
February 4th, 2010 at 9:00 am
I also experience a tightness under my left shoulder blade that will snap and be relieved by a deep breath and release. It’s as if something pops into place. It happens everyday. I am now doing sit ups and push ups, yoga and pilates, cardio and some weights. Exercise is crucial to recovery and regaining strength. Do something everyday.
February 4th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
First, I must say my heart is wonderful!! My surgeon & his team were awesome. Usually I read everyone’s reply before I type but not this time. My shoulder pain had me really concerned in the hospital and was worse than anything to do with my incision. Weeks after I got home my shoulder pain worsened (I was told the nerves were healing and my brain was suddenly being told that I had damaged shoulders . . ouche!) until finally it was making me breathe wrong (short, not full breathes). There was a point at which I stopped going to cardiac rehab because the shoulder pain was making me cry. It was very upsetting. Could not lay on either side for much. My cardiologist was on vacation and the one who filled-in for him seemed to have no idea what I was talking about. I went to an orthopedist and she sent me right over to physical therapy several times a week for several weeks and it was WONDERFUL. They put “warm/moist/sand” bags over my shoulders while I sat in a chair and then they manipulated/massaged my shoulders and upper back. Then I had to do three different kinds of stretching and strengthening exercises but it was all very worth it. Also, the pain meds helped too but wanted to get off them and be healed. The physical therapsit and orthopedist said I had damage to my Upper Trapezius. It is a big triangular muscle that holds your head and shoulders onto your back. A doctor/acquaintence told me that shoulders can get damaged in any surgery when twisted by accident by the anaesthesia team. Sometimes they hold an arm or two in the wrong position during heart surgery for too long and that can cause shoulder damage too. It is not related to your heart but the pain is nonethe less dangerous because it is so unrelenting and you cannot really sleep thru it without pain meds. Then you have to walk around like a partial zombie just to be able to breathe . . . not good. Now only the left side clicks but I am much better and it has been 15 months. My heart is wonderful and I am at the gym for an hour 4x/week.
February 5th, 2010 at 7:44 am
I’m on day 8 of the recovery process, I had a benign tumor removed from my Aorta Vavle and required it’s replacement.
The other day I noticed a couple “clicks” or knuckle pops in my chest when I was shifting around in my chair. My shoulders are sore and it is sometimes difficult to get comfortable but I was told this was to be expected. I mean really, when you think about how the surgeon had you opened up like a clam, there’s bound to be soreness at the connection points. I feel better everyday, if my sterum continues to pop, I’ll try to coordinate my left knee and play a tune.
Peace
Kevin K.
February 7th, 2010 at 9:02 pm
My surgery was June 1, 2009. I am still experiencing clicking and movement of my sternum. Recent CT scan indicates that it is not healing properly despite all the limitations for upper body movement I have followed. The doctors have kept a close watch on this, and now are suggesting surgery. They are not sure what they will actually do until they open me up and see what is happening. My first CT scan indicated some loosening of the wires, but since then the sternum is not even healing scar tissue to scar tissue. I was advised that surgery is necessary as my sternum is “soft” and weakened. Surgery is scheduled for the 18th of this month.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:00 am
ADAM I HAD AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT SURGERY ON fEB 3, 2010 AND CAME HOME ON 7 FEB. I AM ALREADY EXPERIENCING SOME CLICKING NOISE IN THE
STERNUM. NONE IN THE SHOULDER AS YET.
BOB H.
February 8th, 2010 at 11:41 am
Is the pain and clicking any way conected with the healing process? Would the procedure developed by Dr Paul Fedak in Calgary Alberta Canada possibly alleviate this? He is gluing the sternum together with Kryptonite Glue then stapling with titanium clips. Pain recovery is claimed to be in hours; not weeks.
Ron
February 9th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
I too had surgery nov 16th, 2009 and i experienced slight clicking in my chest, it was strange, i wasn’t doing anything at the time. But i just relaxed and then it would go away, it was strange. but no pain.
now all i have is what i call incision pain, it is tender and i have tried maderma and polysporin but it is still tender,….hmmm
February 10th, 2010 at 9:32 am
shoulder pain…surgery for triple by-pass and aortic valve replacement..met with surgeon yesterday..Dr.Chen @ Emory..a class act..tells me soreness can continue for 6 to 12 months…my main problem has been atrial fibulation in and out…had the problem prior…he too feels as healing progreeses this too will pass…he states inflamation peaks after 8 to 12 weeks and then things begin to “quiet down”
February 10th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
Hi Adam,
Oh man yes I had a lot of clicking. One year after my surgery, I had my wires cut and removed from my chest ( They were about ready to pop through my skin).. For some odd reason that really seemed to help.
Jamie Patopoff
February 11th, 2010 at 5:53 pm
Hi Adam,
Many thanks for your observations.
I had an emergency Aortic Valve replacement in India about 18 months ago.
Actually am from England.
Here is a link to the letter I wrote to my surgeon about 10 days after the operation.
I hope you find it as helpful as your own words.
http://robinmarchesi.com/writings/letters/
I’ve never had my wires removed, I thought they were for life!
Best wishes
Robin Marchesi
February 12th, 2010 at 9:07 am
So far, no clicking in my sternum, but I am experiencing pain in the shoulders, along with the incision site and the sternum itself.
February 13th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
I had 7 bypasses in April 2009 - about 10 months ago - and I have a lot of clicking in my chest. I’m 65 year old grandma, very active and that clicking is driving me just a bit nuts. There’s no pain, but? Does anyone know if I have to do something about it? Go back to cardiologist? Will it go away on its own?
February 13th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
It was nice to read the other comments as I have a lot of questions and concerns. I had Aortic Valve and Aorta replacement about 3 weeks ago. The only place I have experienced any real discomfort has been in my shoulders and my right shoulder has been worse than the left. I am a 59 year old male and in good physical shape and have not experienced any of the clicking as of yet. I just wish I could get past the shoulder pain.
February 15th, 2010 at 1:47 am
I was told by my cardiologist that my shouoder pain was from the position during surgery. They push your shoulders back as far as possible on the operating table. My shoulders and especially around my shoulder blades hurt, but the pain was gone after about a month.
February 18th, 2010 at 8:55 am
A brief follow-up to my earlier post, having read the others. My sternum was clinched with stainless steel clips which I was concerned would show up on TSA screens. No worries, however. I get the occasional creak when turning at night. Incision pain has been reduced by gently massaging the incision site, in the direction of the sewed tissues. This was suggested by my chiropractor. I have recently resumed ‘minimal force’ chiropractic - energy and sense of well-being are hugely improved. As for our ‘open heart procedures’, an accupuncturist friend suggests that our bodies don’t know about surgery. As far as they are concerned we have been attacked by a saber-tooth tiger! And we take time to recover! Her accupuncture treatments after surgery did help.
Good luck today, Micki!
Adrian B.
February 25th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
I, too, had and still have, pain in my right shoulder and my sternum. I had my aortic valve replaced July 8, 2009 with a bovine valve. I had far less pain and trauma than I expected. I also have an ileostomy (1-2006) because of long-term ulcerative colitis, and because I was given plavix following my heart surgery, I experienced bleeding from my stoma and was readmitted to the hospital Aug. 11; on August 14 I had kidney failure and congestive heart failure. I have been off the plavix since 8-11; I am doing remarkably well. Side note: I had the 3rd, 4th, and 5th fingers of my left hand numb immediately after surgery and some numbness in my arm. I have mostly recovered but still have a small amount of tingling in my left hand. All in all, the surgery was not nearly as bad as I had anticipated. My surgeon, Dr. Prevosti, was fantastic; extremely competent and compassionate. I am 79 years old.
March 1st, 2010 at 8:45 am
My daughter age 54 is having her mitral valve repaired (we hope). She has decided to have the thoracotomy. She is an active kindergarten teacher but is getting tired.
Dr. Morris (Mercy Hospital in Sacramento, CA) will do the procedure. He says he can repair it better without the robotic method. He is rated the best in this area. He did a sternotomy approach 5 1/2 yrs. ago on my husband who is now 82 but looks and acts 62! He had both the mitral valve and tricuspid repaired. He just bought a sail boat and is taking sailing lessons.
My daughter is really apprehensive about the procedure. She needs a good blog to follow for before and after. Her surgery is scheduled for April 14.
March 2nd, 2010 at 12:05 pm
When I last posted I had lots of questions, but no answers to me “clicking” issue. I have since visited the doctor who did the bypass surgery. He took x-rays to compare with those taken right after the surgery 10 months ago. It was a huge relief when he pulled up both x-rays and we saw zero change in sternum alignment. Although the clicking (which I feel as much as hear) is unnerving, it is not painful and is certainly tolerable. Apparently there is a lot of cartilage in the sternal area and that’s what’s doing the clicking. It seems a bit like what I notice when someone is popping their knuckles. Best wishes to all recovering clickers!
March 13th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
Thanks for your post Adrian. It is now over 18 months since my surgery occasionally I get the ‘twitch/spasm in my left shoulder. Interesting observation re the ‘body’ not knowing the difference between OHS and being attacked, very true. I hear the clicking but I don’t feel it physically. Sometimes at night I blame it for keeping me awake, other times I find it comforting. I once thought myself like the crocodile in Peter Pan, who swallowed a clock! You have to learn how to live with replacement surgery, get to know another part of you!