Anyone else find the post surgery exercises have given them shoulder pain?
Pre surgery I had a normal range of movement and go to Pilates weekly.
As instructed I did the exercises in the BCN leaflet I was given for a week pre surgery and for several weeks afterwards. I was also taking Letrozole.
A few weeks into this I realised the exercises were actually causing me some clickiness and discomfort in both shoulders. I stopped exercising as I had my normal range of movement. Luckily my lumpectomy scar is small and in breast tissue not muscle.
I’m off Letrozole now and my shoulders still aren’t right although I have a full range of movement.
The issue is I’ll need to resume the exercises post radiotherapy but don’t want to make my shoulders hurt more.
Anyone else with similar experience? Thoughts and advice appreciated.
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I understand your worry but unfortunately from experience it’s about finding the balance - they can become clicky from too much movement or reaction to medication but if you don’t move them they will remain clicky . When you have radiotherapy as you say you will have to move them for positioning during treatment and afterwards to prevent fibrosis of the tissues and further loss of movement . You say you have full movement which means it’s likely that there’s no serious injury . The tendon that passes in and out of the shoulder socket is quite big and if it becomes inflamed it catches as it’s moving in and out - this is what I was told anyway . As you have stopped Letrozole it might settle down on its own but you’re running to a time scale so if you’re really concerned I would consult a Physio or similar . Your BCN may be able to put you in touch with a Breast Physio your GP might also consider referring you for an anti - inflammatory injection. I had a slightly dodgy left shoulder / base of neck anyway due to past injuries then 3 weeks after surgery I had a nasty fall during which I had time to deliberately twist to my left to avoid landing on my operated side but landed full on my left shoulder which has never been quite the same since but thanks to my wonderful Osteopath and the Physio at the surgery who gave me exercises by the time it came to radiotherapy I was able to keep my arms above my head and also to drive myself . Some days both shoulders are clicky some not . I like to do Yoga and also swim but have to be careful with both as if I overdo it my shoulder will be clicky for a while . On the other hand if I don’t swim at all ( back crawl is particularly good for my shoulders ) then they start to stiffen up . I also stopped hormone therapy due in large part to joint pain and stiffness so I can’t blame that for me it’s old injuries and age ( now 61 ) . Best of luck xx
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Thanks. Glad to know I’m not the only one no longer taking hormone therapy.
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No there’s a few of us out there but it’s a very contentious subject . My shoulders and neck were the first areas to get worse again after starting it . My knees took the longest to recover though I’m not convinced they’ve been quite the same . Xx
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