Hi. I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy 1st may. Successful and seemed to heal well after surgery. A couple of weeks ago my arm started to ache. I thought I’d strained it. But it hurts more now and im pretty sure its cording as when i straighten my arm i can faintly see it and its very painful to touch. Is this something i can sort on my own. I dont want to bother my cancer nurse if I don’t need to. Thanks for any advice also Im starting chemo 5th july. If that makes any difference. X
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You should bother them ! This is their job and they need to assess you and may need refer you to Physio . I had a leaflet that said I should contact my BCN straight away if I got a seroma or cording . Best to do it as soon as possible ( so Monday) and they will want to know about this believe me. One of my friends who got it and didn’t get a lot of input from her team was able to help herself by looking up and doing exercises on YouTube but her team were aware - however this was 10 years ago and unlike you she wasn’t due any further treatment. I have no idea if this will affect chemo - I would have thought not but you need to tell them about it just in case . Maybe someone will come on who has had experience of your situation. Another friend who had cording was told to keep stretching gently until it hurt . I hope you get some help and a sweet to your query xx
Answer to your query xx
Thankyou @JoanneN I will ring my nurse on Monday. Most of the time its not too bad just certain touching or stretching but i will get checked out. Thanks do much x
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Hi, I’m 16 months from lumpectomy and total node clearance. I’ve had cording and discomfort/tenderness down my inner arm and exercise has sorted it out. Stretching your hand back and massage also helps. It is painful/discomfort when you begin exercises and massage but give it a couple of weeks and it will feel so much easier.
I hope your cording improves soon
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I have had chemo and immuno and surgery. I had a huge seroma after the surgery. Sent about 2 weeks later I developed cording. I asked for a referral to physio but when I got there the physio was a general physio and had never seen Cording before. However I have managed to find a private physio who is experienced in treating cording so we’ll see if she can help. I have done all the post up exercises and and have regained a full range of arm movement and I’m doing a lot of swimming which helps. Your hospital may have physios who are cancer physios. I would certainly pursue this.
Thanks @BiRo before i had surgery a physio from hospital rang me to make sure i had a leaflet with all the exercises on so maybe they do specialise. I will ring for advice. Thank you 
I had a routine follow up call from the Breast physio ( only one in the whole of our Trust ) but my BCN was going to refer me back to her at one point though in the end it wasn’t necessary . I think there are specialist breast physios in most Trusts just not that many of them. Xx
Definitely speak to your nurse. But in the meantime, make sure you are doing the exercises. It will be painful but will help. Gentle massage/pressure too. I hope it starts to improve soon.
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Hi Debi1
My consultant advised gentle massage along the scar line after operation (even teasing my hubby that he could help 
), and I have to say it worked wonders. I moisturise anyway so it’s easy enough to gently rub the cream in. As the lovely ladies on here advise, your breast care team can offer lots of hints and tips I’m sure, but massage helped in my case.
I wish everyone all the best!! Xx
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You can’t sort it on your own. My BCN referred me to physio. Only a few are trained in it. Mine was absolutely amazing and made a 90% improvement at the first visit. it requires weight/pulling at both ends of the cord which is why you can’t do it yourself.
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Hi deb1
Thanks for posting.
What you describe does sound like cording.
Stretching and gently massaging the area can help but as its very painful, to touch it is important to let you breast cancer nurse know as @JoanneN says. It really won’t be wasting her time. Your nurse can assess you fully and confirm if this is cording. Sometimes cording can restrict post op exercises and a physiotherapy referral may be necessary. It’s not likely to delay your chemotherapy treatment.
This American organisation has more information about cording.
Pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, if you can take these, might help while you wait to speak to your nurse.
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