4 wks post op and upper back pain. Any tips?

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi all 4 weeks post op doing well except i have upper back pain, mainly round my shoulder blade on my crutch side. Its just muscle pain. Any tips on how I might ease it? Its hard when I'm sleeping on my back and trying to straighten up my upper body when walking. any advice would be great!

2

Hi Sinead I had both done two years ago, and I wedged myself up on several pillows and sort of sank down, so I was not on my back as such as in the hospital bed position, and I raised my legs too, perhaps your muscles in your back deteriorated, mine did in the Lumbar area, but have grown back now, with sensible use of pain killers and regular excersise I have now kinda got back to normal, but it has been a patient wait. 

3

Have you tried massage and or hot water bottle?

Cheers Richard

4

Good morning

Try tyenol or a warm heating pad. They sell the ones with the moisture insert. Works great.

Feel better

Barbara

5

Hi Sinead I had both done two years ago, and I wedged myself up on several pillows and sort of sank down, so I was not on my back as such as in the hospital bed position, and I raised my legs too, perhaps your muscles in your back deteriorated, mine did in the Lumbar area, but have grown back now, with sensible use of pain killers and regular excersise I have now kinda got back to normal, but it has been a patient wait. 

6

What about switching from crutch to a cane on the opposite side of your surgery? It will take  the pressure off your shoulder and make you walk straight. It seems to me that all your folks in the UK are on crutches. I am in Canada and there is not a crutch in sight but canes galore - and walkers.

7

I wonder if it is to do with the crutch in some way

8

Might try a cane. I have been told to use a crutch for at least 6weeks. I'm in Ireland.

9

Hi Sinead. It is probably to do with the way you are using the crutch  or walking with it. but you could also have bruising from the op still. You could try laying your spine along a rolled up towel it opens up the spine and helps. Otherwise try anti inflamortory cream, or tablets. Good luck 

10

hi sinead, 

good to hear you are doing well ... sounds like you are perhaps not walking correctly - are you leaning on your crutch ? 

I had a wheeled walker (rollator) and got weird ain in my wrists .. well, I was holding on for dear life and didn't notice that -  

heat and a massage I would go for - and then more awareness how I use the crutch - I was bad with the cane, to be honest .. leaning too much on it ...

strep by step, one day at a time, darling ---

keep us posted on how you are getting on, okay ?

big warm hug

renee