Exercise with a port

[JJ2212]

I'm hoping someone can explain to me what to look out for when exercising with a port. I met with a physical therapist a while back and she cautioned me not to do any chest exercises (push ups, bench press, ...) or any exercise where my elbows would be above my shoulders. I took this in, but silly me I never asked why. Now that I've started exercising again, I'd feel more comfortable understanding what I need to be careful of to be a better judge of what I can and can't do. My port is on the right side of my chest and isn't causing me any issues.

Janie.

[Redtexa5]

I have no idea what that physical therapist was talking about. I asked my nurses and Oncologist the same question and was told not to worry about it as far as normal exercise goes. Also, I had my port for two years and hunted through two seasons shooting a gun on the port side of my body, well that came out weird but you get what I am talking about, no problems. Ask your Onc and infusion nurses, they would know more than a physical therapist about ports and any limitations you may have, but I can't see any reasonable level of exercise being a problem hands over head or not.

[Bev G]

Our man Eric (Brownbagger) rode more than 5000 miles on his bike with his port. I think the PT was a little wacky!

[Coppercent]

I was told after the first few weeks of having it inserted that there were not any restrictions. I have had mine since January of 2012 and I have done several boot camps and run an average of 15 miles a week. No issues so far. I would ask the physician who placed it what the restrictions are for your port.

[juliej]

Agree with the others. If your port is acting fine, I see no problem. I've done the following with my port: weight-lifting, yoga (including handstands), running, core exercises (like planks, squats, and lunges), horseback riding, swimming -- and lots of dancing!

[GrouseMan]

I have no idea what that physical therapist was talking about. I asked my nurses and Oncologist the same question and was told not to worry about it as far as normal exercise goes. Also, I had my port for two years and hunted through two seasons shooting a gun on the port side of my body, well that came out weird but you get what I am talking about, no problems. Ask your Onc and infusion nurses, they would know more than a physical therapist about ports and any limitations you may have, but I can't see any reasonable level of exercise being a problem hands over head or not.

My wife runs and has no issue with it that way. I don't believe anyone ever gave her any restrictions either. When the port was placed of course it was on her right shoulder area as it seems just about everyone's is. We didn't think much about it until the Grouse and woodcock season opened in the fall. We are heavily involved in Ruffed Grouse Society and train bird dogs as a hobby, but she had not done any shooting after diagnosis. We just didn't think about it at the time. When the season opened I was worried about the recoil perhaps bruising the port area or damage it. So I thought it a bad idea for her to shoot. I assume by weird you mean your aim was off? No additional pains or anything? Did you use extra padding? Men's and women's shoulders are different so I don't know if she would have problems or not. Just askin...

Regards,

GrouseMan

[laneylou]

I did rehab with a PT during chemo (proximal weakness from the Decadron steroid) and my PT not only didn't mention any restrictions, she had me doing exercises lifting weight above my head. Not much weight, but still.

I'd ask the doctor who placed the port and see what he/she says.

[SkiFletch]

Yeah, the PT is nuts. I did the full gamut of upper body weight lifting exercises when I had my port. About the only things I didn't do was exercises which REQUIRED me to hold a bar across my front shoulders. Like front bar squats, or clean/jerks were not ideal because the port would contact the bar directly. And that wasn't comfortable. Admittedly for the first 2-4 weeks post implant, I wouldn't have done any such exercises, but after it's all nice and bound up in there, have at it.

[JJ2212]

Thanks everyone. I'm happy to hear that my PT was over zealous. Maybe because my port had already flipped once? But it's been fine since January, so I think it should be good to stay in place now.

The only exercise I really enjoy is strength training and boxing classes and I felt restricted with both because of what my infusion nurse and the PT had said. Yay! Back to the gym on Monday

Janie

[TheLadySkye]

Huh. It seems the advice I was given is quite the opposite of what most of you have been told. I was encouraged to avoid arm or chest heavy exercise and heavy lifting. Things like swimming, lifting weights, and bowling with the port were considered "not a good idea." I do know that the port tube was just a couple millimeters from my heart based on the last CT, but I don't know if that is normal or not. It also gave me quite a bit of trouble constantly with discomfort and pulling when I turned my neck and such.

Needless to say, I am deeply grateful they took that rotten thing out a couple weeks ago. I can't wait til it heals up and I can resume more normal activity.

[CRguy]

I'll be a bit of the anomaly here ....
1. had NO problems whatsoever with my right sided Bard PowerPort ( placed by a vascular surgeon )
2. was advised to avoid direct impacts to the port, mostly 'cos it would hurt and could do potential "damage" to the port / sutures / vessel
3. told once it was healed to try and take it easy for a couple of weeks, then gradual return to normal exercise.
4. stop if anything hurts or you get bruising around it.

My docs knew I taught, and competed in, karate kumite ( sparring ) ..... while I could control a rifle recoil, I would not have complete control over an attacking opponent's techniques ( sorry ... not Mr. Miyagi here just yet ) so I toned it down for most of my days " in port " to avoid direct strikes and my own more aggressive blocks / counters which could have torn things loose.
Also, my port catheter was into the major vessel just outside the heart ....... SOME folks here have had catheters in different placement positions ( jugular = way outside the heart )

SO I guess my message would be : the PT is likely being pro-acvtively over cautious, and not being a doctor did the right thing by advising caution.
Why not just confirm exactly what you are doing with the doctor who placed the port / catheter and be sure you are not going to run into trouble ???

JMO.

Cheers for getting back into working out
CRguy

[justin case]

I would have hated to drop some weights on my port, that probably would have hurt. I would avoid bench presses without a spotter. Other than that, (and the recommended time lapse) consulting with your doctor is always a good idea.
Michael

[behconsult]

I just had my double port installed a few hours ago and the instructions are fresh as I bike and run. They told me for the short term hold off on anything more then simple walking for a week to two weeks. Thereafter, no contact sports but everything else is OK. They did have me draw on my shoulder where I hold my shotgun with a marker prior to my procedure and related keeping the butt of the shotgun away.

[ANDRETEXAS]

I agree with CR.......if I asked anyone, it would be the surgeon who placed my port.

[kiwiinoz]

I asked my surgeon, as he was putting my port in, what exercise I could and couldn't do. I told him what I did which was running, Yoga (and pilates) and exercise at the gym which mostly involved sit ups, push ups, and some light weights.
I had my port inserted into my clavicle so nowhere near any arteries and he was:

Running - 2 days at earliest but he would suggest 1 week and no ongoing issues
Yoga / Pilates - 1-2 weeks to avoid overstretching and promote healing, with no ongoing issues
Gym / weights - 2-3 weeks and avoid any direct contact with the port

I have had my port in for 15 months and have had no issues with it and I still do a lot of running, yoga / pilates, tennis, squash and some light weights