cording

Five months after mastectomy, removal of 13 lymph nodes and simultaneous silicone implant have developed cording NOT in arm but from implant in right breast to ribcage below. Appeared after final chemo with tax.

Initially thought pain in breast and ribcage was nerve endings waking up after surgery and initial raised cording a fold in implant or scar tissue. It has now grown and does look and feel like classic cording - a string getting tighter and more painful that is evident at present only when I lift my arms above head anchoring my implant to ribs.

Has anyone heard of this variation on a theme?




This discussion is related to Fascial cording.

[japdip]

Not often but it does happen. I would see a Physical Therapist to be sure it is indeed "cording". Cording does get better with or without treatment but I think seeking treatment is the better choice. Good Luck

[workingmomofthree2009]

I had 12 nodes removed and radiation and had pain from the armpit to the elbow in a very distinct "line". I was sent to a lymphedema clinic at the hospital. The PT said it had nothing to do with lymphedema, it was called cording and is a result of the disruption of the lymph nodes. She said it is not well understood but they think stray lymph nodes (like wisps of hair) bind together. I do stretching and she does a seep massages type thing...stretching the "cords" to help them break up. It hurts! But it helps! She said very few doctors or even PT's know about this condition, which is a shame. I am treated at Ingalls Hospital in Harvey Il and they have been phenomenal!

[nancyDPT]

Hi I am a PT who has been working with breast cancer patients for over 15 years-cording is very real and very treatable.
here is a great site that explains alot of breast cancer related conditions. http://www.stepup-speakout.org
Axillary web syndrome/cording is well documented. There is an excellent article by Elisabeth Josenhans -Physiotherapeutic treatment for axillary cording following breast cancer surgery that I have shared with physicians.
.Good Luck