Comments on: “Did Your Sternum and Shoulder Click After Heart Valve Surgery?” Asks Dale

By: rosemary sutherland

rosemary sutherland — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:58:13 +0000

Hi Bob, 8 months is quite some time for that much pain. Whats
‘s with the 5lb weights!! The first instruction the hospital gave us was – if it hurts don’t do it.
Do you have physiotherapy? Honestly it was the best thing for me. Not only did they work the knot out of my shoulder muscle they pin pointed where the tension and aggrevation was coming from. They taped my shoulders blades back in position to make sure I had the correct posture. I was also shown how to switch the shoulder muscle “off”.Stand up straight as though you are being pulled up by a coathanger. Now push the shoulder blade back and down as if you are pushing them into your back pockets. Do this whenever you are lifting, sitting or it starts to hurt. It really does help.PS I still get a little sorenness at 3.5mths. Lying flat on the floor,wings back, is my favourite resting position.

By: Bob

Bob — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:16:03 +0000

I had an aortic valve replaced and 1 bypass on June 6, 2011. My shoulder has hurt for 8 months now. I am doing exercises with 5 lb. weights and playing golf 3 days a week. I take two advil just before golf, fortunatly, my shoulder works ok for the golf swing, but is frozen for other activities. Can hardly touch the back of my head. I take aspirin just before bedtime, therefore; cannot take much Ibuprophen or Aleve. Hope all will be better when the weather gets warmer. Thanks, Bob

By: Marilynne Worsoe

Marilynne Worsoe — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:18:52 +0000

I had pain all over my body after aortic valve replacement and membrane removal. I just figured it was normal. The surgery was November 4, 2011, it is February 2, 2012 and all of the aches and pains are gone for the most part. I am back to my regular exercise routine. Stamina when walking is still not up to par, but I’m sure, in time it will improve.

By: John

John — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:45:01 +0000

After 3months I am still clicking and have pains in my sternum also my chest. My doctor seems to think my sternum has separated and does not seem that concerned as long as I can tolerate it. Will do a cat scan shortly to make sure.

By: Bill Craig

Bill Craig — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:20:59 +0000

rosemary thanks for the encouragement. at 6 weeks now the soreness is fading, the clicking sternum is less. today was a good day and the day before was not. i walk 3 miles in 1 hour per day and eat properly. my bypass was done by Barry Chan at Presbyterian hospital in Charlotte, NC and part of the cleveland clinic. he is one of the best in the country. there is one better at the university of Maryland, but i did not make the trip as it was just too far. i hope at 3 months i have your attitude. i was lucky in some aspect. my heart was not damaged as i caught it before an attack. 3 arteries 95 and 100 % clogged. i am 55 years old and i find myself also battling some depression as i lived life way too good for 55 years. did you have any bouts with depression? Thanks

By: John

John — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:54:31 +0000

3 months after mitral replacement I still have a clicking problem in my sternum. Doctor told me it may take another operation to put my sternum back together. Hurts when I cough, sneeze or lay on my side. I think my sternum has separated and hope it will repair itself, but don’t look good.

By: Patty

Patty — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 03:53:27 +0000

I had quadruple bypass heart surgery in April of 2011 at Scripps in San Diego. My pain is intense with certain movements of my left shoulder. I know they used a mammory vien during surgery, is or has this caused the pain and will it heal in time? The pain when I move a certain way radiates down my arm is very intense.

By: rosemary sutherland

rosemary sutherland — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:29:15 +0000

Hang in there Bill. Its early days. They can actually stitch you back better than before. Trust me. Thanks to some wonderful surgeons I have a heart that pumps strong and regularly. At three months I feel as though I have had a face lift on the inside. Do see a physiotherapist though. They are so helpful in realigning the the ribcage and the supporting muscles.Sure I have a scar and the shoulder aches a smidgeon if I carry the grandchildren for too long but otherwise I just say: Thank you God for making the medicos so clever! (-:

By: Bill Craig

Bill Craig — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 03:23:18 +0000

4 weeks tomorrow i had triple bypass. all is good except for this clicking , bone clacking gnawing thing going on. what i have read so far is some get it , some do not. some have it more severe than others. but most everyone says it goes away. as all of youi know this was a tough experience. i hope you all find yourselves back to par or better very soon. its like humpty dumpty, once you are opened up like this, you cannot stitch back like the good lord made it.

By: rosemary sutherland

rosemary sutherland — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 08:19:27 +0000

Don’t second guess this pain. Go to the emergency ward and let them check. Also let your cardiologist know. Take the painkillers if prescribed. This pain can be lots of things so don’t second guess the pain. I was told to call an ambulance when it happened to me. It may be just(still mega pain) muscular/ skeletal pain however the hospital will be able to help to settle that pain too. Best wishes. – It gets better.