scar tissue

[sassy1one]

I had a modified radical mastectomy in Feb 05.  In Jan 06 I had a staph infection at the surgical site, with the area of infection extending from mast site, under arm and around to my back.  I know this is rare to have a staph infection so long after surgery, and my surgeon and oncologist  never had anyone experience this so long out from surgery.  My concern now is that I continue to have moderate pain off and on in the entire area that the infection encompassed.  Recurrance is always in the back of my mind, but could this pain just be from scar tissue?  I have also been told that part of the problem may be arthritis in the ribs caused by a previous fracture.  I am currently taking Neurontin, which has helped tremendously, but I would like to know what type of complications scar tissue can cause  and if this is solely the cause of my pain now, will it subside?  Also, why does the pain come and go, flucuating in severity?

Thanks for any info.

Sassy1one

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

Has your oncologist advised a repeat mammogram or ultrasound? You should review with him/her if your symptoms still persist despite pain relief medications after a few days too.

Let us know if you have any doubts and also keep us posted on how you are doing.

Hope this helps.

Regards.

[sassy1one]

Thank you for your reply.

I continue to see my onc regularly--three month schedule, and also go in monthly for Lupron shots.  My onc has done scans and neither of us feel that this is a recurrance, but he has not really offered an answer to what the problem is--just could be's.  I have been trying to find information on scar tissue symptoms, to better understand if this could be the problem, but have not been very successful.  I have not considered fat necrosis.   I will continue to research both possibilities.

Sassy1one

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

You could be having the pain due to scar tissue, fat necrosis, re-infection at the site, trauma or injury and in rare case due to a recurrence.

For a confirmed diagnosis, a proper clinical evaluation and relevant investigations would be required.

Are you following up with your specialist regularly?

If not, you should consult your doctor and clear out your doubts and decide about the further course of management.

Till then you could try some pain relief medications and see if they help in your case.

Let us know what your doctor advises and if you have any other doubts.

Hope this helps.

Regards.

[sassy1one]

Just wanted to bump this up to see if anyone had any info.  Thanks.