I’ve got this in my armpit and down into the new reconstructed breast I have. Does anyone have any ideas for self help? I have done exercises, put a hot water bottle on it and wondered if it ever goes. It does look like a hard cord going through my armpit. I didn’t even have any lymph nodes taken out in my armpit which is weird. I had had some out in 2003 when I had my last breast cancer surgery before mastectomy last September.
Seagulls
Did you get to see a physio after your mastectomy? I wonder if you can ask to be referred for some if not? I had quite bad cording after a lumpectomy and high-level node clearance also in September. It’s not completely gone but it’s gradually improving. I am doing the exercises and massaging every day. But the thing that made the most difference was my physio sessions - I had 3 or 4 with a specialist physio who works with the breast surgery team. At one of them she massaged the cording for me for 10-15 mins and I saw a substantial improvement almost straight away. I’ve read about other people feeling their cording kind of ‘pop’ or ‘ping’ with specialist massage.
I had cording in the spots my drains were. Luckily they didn’t inhibit movement much but they were irritating. Massage and stretches did it for me but I had to do it consistently for a while. Even now sometimes they pop up a little but nothing like what it was and some stretches and massages puts it right in a day or so.
My surgeon popped my cords when I went back for my results. Maybe you could ask to have it done?
Hi Seagulls,
I am really sorry you are dealing with this,cording can be painful and frustrating especially when it seems to come out of nowhere.
Even if you did not have lymph nodes removed during your most recent surgery, cording can still occur due to trauma to the surrounding tissue or scar formation. Since you have had previous surgery in the area from 2003 that might also be a contributing factor.
Here are a few self help tips that have worked for others and may offer some relief:
Gentle daily stretching: Continue with light range of motion exercises for the arm and shoulder. Try stretching with your arm above your head against a wall or doorway slowly and gently.
Warm compresses: You have already doing this which is great Keep applying gentle heat before stretching to loosen the tissue.
Manual massage: Lightly massaging the area around the cord can sometimes help release it over time. A lymphatic massage therapist can show you how to do it safely.
Physical therapy: If it does not start to ease, consider asking for a referral to a physiotherapist experienced in post-breast surgery recovery. They can often break up the cord gradually and safely.
For most people, cording does resolve sometimes in weeks, sometimes a bit longer but it can get better with consistent care.
Wishing you a smooth and full recovery. you are not alone in this.
Warm regards by Moe