Is it possible to get cording in the chest after a mx? I’ve gradually got less movement in my arm, despite doing the exercises, and when I try to lifty arm, I can feel a hard band from where I had nodes removed, down to the MX scar.
Has this happened to anyone else?
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I had cording post lumpectomy after radiotherapy that went up the side of my ribs - snapped it by bending to side after a hot shower - stung like a bas***d - better after. Was a twang like a rubber band snapping at lower rib on side, so yea, they can appear down to last rib up to arm and anywhere in between unfortunately. Did you need any radiotherapy? That makes it worse.
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Thanks @entropy. Sounds painful.
I had radiotherapy 15 year ago, but not this time. This time I’ve had an SMX, 6 months ago, and then 6 weeks ago had a cancerous node removed, which they had to ‘dig about for’! I don’t know if that has aggravated things this time.
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I’ve had cording twice Dec/Jan was first time, then in March from armpit going down arm a bit - got rid of that via deep massage. Not had it since happily, so hoping its done now. Only had 1 SLN removed in May 2024. On reading about it, I’ve found that they are confident that all nodes likely ok if the 1 they take is clear because most of the breast lymph goes via the 1 SLN, meaning that just taking that 1 out can have knock on effects such as oedema and cording as it puts strain on the lymphatic system.
I could of needed some digging around maybe as they didn’t do a separate incision just used the same entry point for the lumpectomy, which is nowhere near my armipt. Just 1 out can be disruptive.
Talk to your BCN about it, they may refer you to physio who can suggest ways to get rid of it. If you can, its good to break them down so they dont restrict movement. The sooner the better probably as easier to break down when just forming I would think. Take advice from your BCN though as had a mastectomy. Are you going to be having other lymph nodes out or chemo maybe as your node was cancerous? Or perhaps radiotherapy to lymph nodes is still possible if you last had it to your breast area only?
Yes - you describe exactly what I had after my Mastectomy & 39/40 lymph nodes removed with “a lot of 'digging about”. The Physio gave me some other stretching exercises to do which I still do 3 years later as I still occasionally get tightness across my chest & down my arm (often when it’s cold).
I don’t know if these exercises will make sense but here goes -
- Stretch your arm out to the side, level with shoulder. With other hand massage where it is tight in your arm. I do this 20 times, twice a day.
- Hold the door post & stretch away for 30 seconds x 3 times, twice a day.
- In between 2, alternate with stretching your arm in the same way but straight up - I use the top of our wardrobe.
I only do them once a day now but this really helped with the cording in my arm & across my chest.
Hope this helps, but if not some physio will help.
Good luck & all the best 
I saw a physio today. She says it’s not cording, but stiff due to two under arm operations within a few months and the digging out of a node from behind the pectoral muscle. She’s only given me one exercise for now, as I start chemo next week, and she doesn’t want to push things too much. I have also got to massage my scars, as they are quite tight. If things continue to get worse during chemo I can give her a call, otherwise she will see me after chemo is finished.
Hi I had SNB in oct 24 at same time as mastectomy and had severe cording which started in armpit but over 6 month period had recurrent new cords in chest, under implant, down side, in arm hand and fingers. Thankfully they have stopped now. Regular stretching everyday and breaking the cords help reduce the pulling and tightness. I also had physio to break the cords. I hope you notice a difference soon