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?