Incision Pain

[maka]

I had mitral valve repair in August and still have discomfort in the middle of the incision. It's like a sear or pulling feeling. Particularly when I stand up after being sitting down for a while. It really pulls.....it gets better after I move for a while
Have you had similar expericence? How long did yo have discomfort in the incision?
Thanks

[Ross]

You shouldn't be having that this far out. I would mention this to the Doctor. Maybe a wire pulling or any number of things, but it should not be.

[Mama2Rylan]

Hey,
I had my surgery in August as well. I have had some tenderness in the area (especially when my 19month old son hits his big ole' head on it) but other then that nothing really. I did experience a couple sharp pains in the lower part of my scar a while ago, but nothing since, and it was only that one time. If I was you, I would just go and get it checked out. I mean you have come to far to let anything get you down now. So it's better to be safe, then sorry. Oops, didn't mean to frighten you...it's prolly nothing:D

[Jkm7]

My surgery was two years ago and I still have tenderness at the incision. It doesn't hurt per se but I am never NOT aware of it. Weather is a definite factor. If we are expecting rain or snow, my chest knows it before the meteorologists.

I never actually told my cardio about the fact my chest is still sore (I thought it was that way for everyone) but during a conversation about possible future surgery.....after my eyes rolled back in my head in panic, I mentioned......My chest still hurts from the last one. He didn't comment so I don't think it is anything I need worry about. It isn't anything that requires pain meds but it often is a 3 on a scale of 10. I cannot even think about sleeping on my stomach. No massages for me!!!

I think everyone is different and I've been told that sometimes a person who is on the thin side (their torso/shoulders), sometimes have more discomfort from the sternum.

[perkicar]

I had mitral valve repair in August and still have discomfort in the middle of the incision. It's like a sear or pulling feeling. Particularly when I stand up after being sitting down for a while. It really pulls.....it gets better after I move for a while
Have you had similar expericence? How long did yo have discomfort in the incision?
Thanks

I am just getting over a bad cold where I coughed alot--and I did have pain, not in my incision but a little to the right about mid-sternum. It was more like a spot where the muscles attached to the bone. Now that I've stopped coughing all the time it's gone away.....If it gets better after you move for a while it could be muscular??
I'd mention it to the doctor...

[Cris N]

Maka,
I, too, would mention it to the dr. If doc says nothing wrong then I'd work on stretching exercises. Start with good posture - head up, shoulders back... keep working on shoulders. Hope the pain goes away soon.

Cris

[joanne6]

My incision is not midchest but I also had surgery in August and it is uncomfortable every day. I have tried Vit E, etc. I just think it is going to take a long time before I am not aware of it. The weather defintiely can affect it. Would not hurt to tell the doc but I am thinking it is normal.

[Jkm7]

Now I'm starting to worry. Am I the only one who has discomfort at their incision 2 years later? Maybe I should be talking to my cardio about it???

[MelissaM]

Look to your wires, dear friends, look to your wires. Especially on those of thin build, the wires can pinch, pull, prod, etc., and cause pain. I had mine removed one year post-surgery and am SO glad to have them out. There was just a constant dull ache that go worse when I exerted myself. Now that they are gone, I have NO sternum pain and am back to normal (this took another year).

So. . .don't suffer in pain, ask, and perhaps, you too can get yours removed!

[maka]

Thank you so much for all your replies. Unfortunately I had my operation in NY and I’m now spending the winter months in Florida. However, I do have a cardiologist here (just in case) and I will make an appointment and mention it.
Thanks Cris, I think I have to work more on my exercise, it does help when I stretch
Melissa, I didn’t know that the wires could be removed!!! I does feel like wires pulling. Do you mind telling me how it was done? Did you need further surgery? How long it took? Painful? :eek: :eek:
Thanks again, you all have so much knowledge that it is amazing.
Marta

[MelissaM]

Marta,

Removing wires was a pretty quick outpatient procedure - maybe 20 minutes. They cut down your incision, remove the wires, then sew you back up again. They use general anesthesia, not local, but even with general, it wasn't bad. ChristinaL and I went out to breakfast afterward. :)

A pretty simple procedure that could easily be done in NY or FL.

Melissa

[maka]

Thanks Melissa
I just remembered that I had to see my surgeon about a month after the operation because a couple of wires were "sticking" out. He pulled one very easily but the other one wouldn't bulge so he cut it. He showed it to me and it looked like a "fishing line" (not a wire per se) and I believed he mentioned they dissolve by themselves!!!. I guess I have to ask the cardiologist here in FL and if it continues by the time I go back to NY in May (HOPE NOT), then I definetly will get an appoitment with him.
I don't like the idea of be "opened up" again but maybe he can fix the look of the incision at the same time:D :D

[tobagotwo]

It isn't necessarily even the wires, although certainly some folks do have problems with them.

Sometimes during healing, adhesions and reattachments form at the site in ways that don't allow for stretching and movement. When you reach or move in certain ways, it stretches that misaligned tissue, and can cause a ripping or tearing feeling. If the adhesions are never released, that will likely remain the case.

While it's not a cure-all and doesn't work for everyone, this is one of the reasons I am always pushing movement and gentle stretching during recovery, to ensure the greatest range of movement when everything has settled. I suggest that a physical therapist might be able to help you stretch those tissues to regain movement with less pain. If that's a financial burden, stretching exercises, while painful, can definitely be done as easily by yourself, if you're motivated.

Check with your doctor to determine if there are other possibilities that are less apparent. Then consider your level of determination to achieve your freedom of movement again, and proceed accordingly.

Best wishes,

[Jkm7]

Thanks for such helpful information. I haven't directly spoken with my doctor about the discomfort as I thought this was just 'the way it is'. I figured it was this way for everyone. Now that I know it doesn't have to be this way, at my next visit, I plan to speak with him about it.

Maybe I won't wait for my next visit (May) but will call and get in to see him sooner.

Thank you.

[maka]

Bob H
Thank you for your posting. I believe you may be right in my case. It does feel like a tearing and it happens mostly when I sitt down for a time and then stand up. WHen I move a little it goes away. I'll try to streatch more (I admit I have not been very good at it :( :( ) Still I'll mention to my cardio next I see her but I'm sure she'll refer me to the surgeon.
Thanks again....Your postings are always very interesting

[Lynlw]

Thanks Melissa
I just remembered that I had to see my surgeon about a month after the operation because a couple of wires were "sticking" out. He pulled one very easily but the other one wouldn't bulge so he cut it. He showed it to me and it looked like a "fishing line" (not a wire per se) and I believed he mentioned they dissolve by themselves!!!. I guess I have to ask the cardiologist here in FL and if it continues by the time I go back to NY in May (HOPE NOT), then I definetly will get an appoitment with him.
I don't like the idea of be "opened up" again but maybe he can fix the look of the incision at the same time:D :D

I think what you had removed were the dissolvable sutures. Justin has had a few of them that didn't desolve and had to be pulled out and they do look like fishing line, Lyn

[maka]

Thanks Lynlw
The more I read about this the more I learn!!! I definitely have to ask my doctor. Today has been an uncomfortable day, The worst is when I sit in my recliner chair for a long time. I'll try to do more stretch exercises as suggested and see whether it gets better

[joanne6]

I still have discomfort from all of my incisions. It was helpful to be reminded to stretch. Since I have been back to work, I don't think about taking care of myself the way I did before. I have been doing some stretching today and it is helping.