Risk of lymphoema with shoulder surgery

I have arthritis in both shoulders which has become much more painful over the last year ( by co-incidence this is since I started to take Arimidex!)
My GP referred me to an orthopaedic consultant and I am now on his list for shoulder joint " re-lining". I think this is a new technique for shoulder surgery though now quite a popular op. with hip replacements.
I am having my ‘good’ side done in April with a view to seeing how I get on before consideration of my BC side.
In 2008 I had WLE followed by level 3 axillary excision,then chemo and rads. As a result of an infection in my finger nail just as I was starting rads, I had very extensive cellulitis in my arm; this eventually disappeared completely - though I do now have mild lymphoedema of my breast and am being monitored at the excellent lympho. clinic at my local hospice. .
If anyone has had surgery near their op site - particularly anyone who has had experience of lymphoedema - it would be really helpful to hear from you. (the ortho consultant involved is in a hospital in a different health authority from where I wa strated for my BC. and thus far has not communicated with my oncologist or breast surgeon. At my request I saw a locum onc this week but she had not even heard of the op and asked me for more details - which I didn’t have!

I’ve had lymphoedema for 7 years - happened almost straight after my wle. About 3 years ago I had a painful shoulder/arm and had it investigated. It turned out to be an inflammation of the tendon in the rotator cuff at my shoulder which was being trapped and squeezed every time I tried to lift my arm. I had an operation to release the pressure and after surgery my arm was elevated to prevent swelling. I had no problems as a result - no additional swelling and no infection or pain.

Good luck with your op - I hope you get the desired result!

Many thanks for your encouraging reply- I was beginning to think no-one had had any experience similar to mine.
I had an oncology app. recently but unfortunately did not see anyone I knew and the locum consultant said she had had no experience in this area and couldn’t really suggest anything very helpful!
My GP didn’t even know the op I am having was available- and he knows nothing about breast lymphoedema either!
I think I am very lucky that I am under the good offices of the lympho clinic at the hospice- at least they know what they are doing! I will obviously see how I get on with my good shoulder after my up-coming op. before I risk my other one- but it all seems a bit hit and miss!
Thanks again for your response.
Mary

It is possible to print off info from the website of the Royal College of Anaesthetists? - about using the affected or at risk arm for medical procedures.

It also contains a link to information you can print off for your doctor which could be very useful.

rcoa.ac.uk/index.asp?PageID=1375

There’s quite an interesting thread about it on this site, too:

breastcancercare.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=23302&p=353430&hilit=lymphoedema+guidelines#p353430

My experience of surgeons (and oncologists, for that matter) is that they know, having been taught next-to-nothing in medical school, very little about lymphoedema and if you come across one who is totally blase about the risks, I’d be inclined to give him/her a wide berth.

You could also try discussing a possible need for prohylactic antibiotics, with your lympho clinic, for directly after surgery to minimise the risk of infection.

Hope all goes well!

X

S

Thanks for that - I know you are very experienced in this area Bahons and I value your comments and the info.

I AM wary re the ortho consultant and will certainly not be having the surgery on the shoulder on my BC side until I have talked to both him and my illusive oncologist. The lines of communication between the consultants seem more than usually vague as they work in different health authorities as well as different disciplines.
But - my shoulders are both getting worse - with more pain and loss of movement so I do want to try for the op- but realise I may be putting myself at risk re the lymphoedema.
I will certainly look up the info you referred to.
Thanks again.
Mary