Why is your husband experiencing left arm and hand numbness and pain after his CABG surgery?
The numbness and pain your husband is experiencing in his left arm and hand is likely due to nerve damage that can occur during coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. This is actually a fairly common complication.
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Why is your husband experiencing left arm and hand numbness and pain after his CABG surgery?
The numbness and pain your husband is experiencing in his left arm and hand is likely due to nerve damage that can occur during coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. This is actually a fairly common complication.
During open heart surgery, nerves can be damaged in several ways:
* When the surgeon cuts through the sternum (breastbone) to access the heart, it can damage the intercostal nerves that run between the ribs
* The ulnar nerve, which runs from the shoulder down into the hand, can be injured during the procedure
* Positioning of the arm during surgery can contribute to nerve damage
* The sternum retraction (widening of the chest) and extended time on the heart-lung machine during longer surgeries like your husband's 8-hour procedure can increase the risk
Research shows that around 38 percent of people recovering from CABG experience neuropathy, often affecting the ulnar nerve. Symptoms typically include numbness, tingling, and pain in the affected arm and hand.
The good news is that this type of nerve pain is usually temporary and should improve as the nerves heal over the first few months after surgery. However, your husband should definitely discuss these symptoms with his healthcare team so they can evaluate him and recommend appropriate pain management strategies if needed.
January 21
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