Arm movement impeded

Hello,

My 14 year old son had his pacemaker implanted at 11. He has grown a lot since then, and especially lately. His pacemaker is now somewhat impeding his arm movement in that he cannot lift his arm more than 90 degrees up towards the front without great discomfort. When trying to lift it all the way up, the pacemaker bulges and looks as if it's close to the armpit. Moving the arm out to the side is fine. Do you think this kind of movement is normal with growth? 

3 Comments

Get it looked at

by piglet22 - 2024-07-19 05:51:42

There is usually some slack built into positioning and routing leads and that's for adults.

I would get it checked as a matter of urgency.

It might be just the generator that has moved, but you definitely don't want to have tension on the leads.

have it checked

by Tracey_E - 2024-07-19 08:45:24

I agree with piglet, have it checked. Yes, that kind of growth is normal and teens often grow faster than their leads have room to extend. The box shifting may or may not affect the leads. An xray should be able to tell them if raising the arm is stressing the leads.

I would have it checked sooner than later. It's unlikely the pacer or leads are at risk, but limited arm movement can lead to frozen shoulder. 

My box came loose from where it was stitched into place and it pokes out when I raise my arm. The leads are fine, it's just my box that shifted. We discussed repositioning it, but it's annoying, not unsafe or painful, so I chose to leave it alone until my next replacement.

Pacemaker placement

by Selwyn - 2024-07-19 14:08:16

If the pacemaker is restricting arm movement it is not in the right place. You should have full arm movement.

Get him seen to.

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