A chest tube, also called a chest drain or drainage tube, is used to remove excess fluids, air or blood that accumulates around your lungs or heart. Chest tubes often are used following surgery or to treat various conditions that cause fluid build-up. You may need a chest tube after a traumatic chest injury, heart failure or infection. A chest tube also can be used to insert medicine directly into your chest. Once the drain is removed, you should follow your doctor's directions regarding the amount of exercise you can do.
Walking
Walking is encouraged even while the chest tube remains in place, according to Allina Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. The activity helps you take deep breaths more easily than when you're lying down. Filling your lungs and expelling mucus and other fluids through your mouth is an important part of building up your strength so that the chest tube can be removed. When the tube is taken out, you should continue with a regular walking routine, as your heart and lung functions improve, according to your doctor's orders. According to Cedars Sinai, walking is an essential part of your recovery and should be done every day outside or on a treadmill.
Range of Motion
You need to keep your body moving to avoid stiffness where the tube was located. You should perform range of motion exercises 10 times on the side where the tube was inserted three times a day for two to three weeks. Exercises can include raising your arm straight up and resting it against your ear. Move your arm behind your neck and reach down your back with your hand on the affected side. Practice shoulder shrugs and reach your arm out in front of you and move it across your body. Doing range of motion exercises under a warm shower eases the pain and discomfort you may feel during the first few days after the tube was removed.
Breathing
You'll need to continue with the deep breathing exercise you most likely started while you were still in the hospital with the chest tube inserted. A tool called a triflow or incentive spirometer measures the depth of your breathing and measures your breaths. By breathing in on the plastic tubing, a meter rises to indicate how deeply you breathe. You'll need to utilize the triflow regularly throughout the day to prevent complications, such as pneumonia.
Strengthening
You'll be encouraged to avoid heavy lifting that could damage the tender ligaments that were disturbed by the drainage tube. At the same time, you need to perform strengthening exercises to prevent muscle atrophy. Use free weights in the one- to three-pound size to perform bicep curls. Lift weights to your sides as far as you can without causing additional pain. Let your internal pain meter guide the amount of weight you lift. Resistance bands allow you to easily pull according to your level of fitness. According to Cedars Sinai, you shouldn't lift any objects that weigh more than 10 pounds. Stay away from body weight resistance exercises, such as situps and pushups, for the first six to eight weeks, as well.
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