I had my LD reconstruction last May, thankfully the excess seroma has finally calmed down but I am having a bit of bother with my back. The area where the muscle was moved from is now very itchy, stiff and sore especially when I have been leaning back in a chair. I have good range of movement in my arm but my back feels as though its made of wood, even a deep breath feels tight. Has anyone else had this problem? Is the itching caused by nerve ends reawakening? Can anyone advise how I can loosen my back? Any advice would be most welcome. Thanks Jaxdar.
Hi
I cannot help you I am afraid but I do have the itching and it can drive you insane. The worst thing about it is that I can’t feel myself scratch the back scar because it is all numb and therefore scratching does not relieve the itching! I have had this since my LD reconstruction in October 2007. My back still gets stiff but not has bad as it used to - so it does ease after a few months.
Hi Jaxdar
Please feel free to call our helpline for a chat with one of our specialist nurses about the problems you are experiencing, the number to call is 0808 800 6000 weekdays 9-5 and Sat 9-2.
Best wishes
Lucy
Hi Jaxdar
Sounds so familiar, I had ld flap last December and still have a sore tight back, numb areas and occasional itchiness. I find that any physical exertion causes the back to swell below the scar line so its everything in small doses for me. I was referred to physio and saw her last week she did not have a clue what to do so as I am seeing my surgeon today I was told to ask him again about it. Physio said I was having thoracic tightness to an extreme level and she felt that the ld had been pulled way too tight whatever that means.
I have previously asked my surgeon about it, he split the tendon at the time of the op which is supposed to help, they can cut the tendon which would stop the tightness but the ld muscle may then shrink so they only do it if its really bad at least 18 to 24 months post op he told me. I find even walking at normal speed for 5 minutes brings on the bad tightness but not as bad as it did a year ago. A year ago i would have like a cramp in my back and coming down round my ribcage to the front with 5 minutes walking or hoover the lounge etc, now the hoovering still does that to me but I can walk for about 20 minutes before the cramps come on so it is very slowly improving, I just put up with it now and pop painkillers on a dialy basis. I also have the ld moving all the time in the new boob area and that can be stopped by cutting the nerve but then the ld will shrink as the blood supply is interupted. I don;t want to do either of these as it just means more and more surgery and I think what was the point of having it done in the first place if they end up having to put in more implants or whatever else they coud do. I am hopeful that over the next few months it will keep improving. The good news is that you will see others who find that it subsides quite quickly, I hope you are in that camp, best of luck to you.
Jaxdar
They don’t need to cut the nerve, they can split it. I am having this done soon due to the pulling and twitching. Breast surgeons don’t typically do it because it’s risky and they don’t have the skills - plastic surgeons (mostly) have the right skills which is why I would never ever suggest anyone go for reconstructive surgery without the input of a plastic surgeon. I have learned the hard way, the very hard way and it needn’t have been this way if my surgeon had acknowledged hiss limitations and referred me to a plastic surgeon in the first place.
As for subsiding, then good luck, I had my surgery last August and it’s progressive, not regressive, for me anyway.
D