You may be going through a very difficult time after breast cancer surgery. In such a situation, it is normal to feel a lot of fear when you feel something new and strange in your body. Sometimes you may feel like something is stretching and tightening from your armpit area down your arm, under the skin. This is what we call cording or `(Axillary Web Syndrome)`. Let's talk about this in a little more detail today, okay?
What is Cording? Simply put...
Simply put, cording is a tight band, vein, or cord that runs from your armpit down the inside of your arm, sometimes as far as your elbow or wrist. It can feel like a thin rubber band is stuck under your skin. It can also feel tight to the touch. Some people may even notice it, especially when they raise their arm. This can make it difficult to raise or move their arm, and it can be painful.
Consider this: After your breast cancer surgery, especially if you have had lymph nodes removed in the armpit, this condition is more likely to occur. It doesn't happen right after the surgery. It can happen weeks, months, or even years later for some people.
Why does cording occur like this? What is the reason?
You might be wondering why this happens. Our armpit area has a lot of lymph vessels and connective tissues. It's like a little mesh. So, when you have breast cancer surgery, especially when you remove lymph nodes in the armpit, this delicate system of vessels and tissues can be damaged.
As these damaged areas heal, scar tissue forms. Sometimes this scar tissue can clump together, become tight, and form a cord-like structure. This is what we call cording. This tight tissue restricts movement in the hand and causes pain.
Sometimes, to check for cancer, one or more lymph nodes in the armpit are removed and examined. This is also called ``cancer staging``. Alternatively, lymph nodes may also be removed during a ``lumpectomy`` surgery to remove only the cancer or during a ``mastectomy`` surgery to remove the entire breast. Cording can occur in either of these situations.
What are the symptoms of cording? What do you feel?
If you have cording, you may feel and see things like this:
- A tight, pulling sensation on the inside of the hand: as if something is stuck under the skin.
- A visible cord or vein running down the arm from the armpit: Some people can see this clearly, especially when they raise their arm.
- Sharp pain in the armpit area when raising or extending the arm: It may feel like a knife stabbing pain.
- Shoulder pain or stiffness:You may not be able to move your shoulders properly.
- Tenderness when touched in the armpit area or on the arm: The area may be a little sensitive.
These symptoms don't happen to everyone at the same time. Most of the time, they start about two weeks after surgery. But as mentioned earlier, they can appear months or even years later. So if you experience something like this, don't just say, "Oh, it's probably a side effect of the surgery, it'll go away on its own." It 's very important to talk to your doctor about this.
Can cording cause other complications?
Axillary Web Syndrome is actually not that dangerous. Sometimes it can get better on its own. However, if you get treatment, you can recover quickly. If you don't get treatment, these symptoms may persist, and may even worsen.
The most important thing is that this will limit the movement of your arm. If you don't move your arm properly after surgery, the tissues in that area can become even tighter and contract. Some people may even develop a condition called ``frozen shoulder'', where the shoulder becomes stiff and unable to move. Therefore, it is very important to maintain arm movement.
How does a doctor recognize this as cording?
If you have symptoms of cording, tell your doctor, and he or she will examine you. This is usually diagnosed through a physical exam.
Doctor:
- Take a good look at your armpit area and any areas where you feel pain.
- He holds that part in his hand, shakes it slowly, and sees if it feels firm.
- You are asked to describe these symptoms:
- When did these start?
- When do you feel it the most?
- Has it decreased or increased by now?
When you hear things like this, be clear about what you think and feel. Don't just assume, "This is something that happens after an operation." There are treatments for this, so it's best to tell your doctor .
What are the treatments for cording?
Physical therapy is often used as a treatment for cording. This is a very effective treatment method.
A physical therapist does:
- Gently stretching and loosening the tight scar tissue in your armpit area.
- This tissue is broken down and prepared so that it can be reabsorbed by the body.
- Some people may also use specific treatments such as ``myofascial release therapy'', which works by reducing the tightness of the thin membranes surrounding the muscles.
- I will also teach you some exercises you can do at home.
If you do these exercises properly at home, your hand movements will gradually improve and the pain will decrease.
How long does it take to fully recover from this condition?
Physical therapy can usually significantly reduce the symptoms of cording. However, the time it takes for this to happen can vary from person to person. Some people feel better after just a few treatments, while others may take several months to recover.
The most important thing is to be patient, slow, and consistent with your treatment. Your body is working hard to recover not only from surgery, but from cancer, and possibly other cancer treatments as well. So you need to give it some time.
How can you take care of yourself until you recover?
While you are recovering from this condition, there are small things you can do yourself to reduce these discomforts:
- Work slowly and carefully: Just like warming up before exercising, slowly pull on these tight axillary web cords. Pulling too hard or too quickly can do more harm than good. So do it carefully and deliberately.
- Apply moist heat: While you're resting, place a warm cloth over the painful area. This heat can help reduce pain and soften hardened scar tissue.
- Gentle activity: Once your doctor says it's okay, start gentle exercises like yoga. These will help stretch your tissues. There are also physical rehabilitation programs specifically for people who have had breast cancer. You can also look into those.
Take-Home Message
It's normal to feel anxious and discouraged when you experience a new symptom like this after a major surgery like breast cancer. But remember, cording is not related to breast cancer itself. It's just a side effect of the surgery you had on your armpit. So it's not a cause for alarm.
But this can be a small obstacle to your recovery process. Physical therapy can help you get better quickly. So, if you pay attention to this and get the necessary treatment, you can quickly move on to the next stage of your recovery journey. Talk to your doctor and follow his advice. I wish you a speedy recovery!
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 Is Axillary Web Syndrome (cording) a symptom of breast cancer?
No! This is not a symptom of cancer, but a very common 'post-complication/side effect' that occurs after 'mastectomy' or lymph node dissection. Cording is a condition where a vein, starting from the armpit and running down the arm, becomes tight and stretches under the skin, like a 'tight rope or guitar string'.
💬 How does it feel when your armpit feels tight/stretched like a rope?
A few weeks or months after surgery, when you try to raise your arm (from your shoulder) on the side where your breast was removed, you will experience 'unbearable tightness and pain under the armpit.' You cannot fully straighten your arm, as the 'closed tube' that looks like a stretched wire is stuck and restricts your arm's movement.
💬 How can I get relief from this blocked lymph node without causing further problems?
This does not require surgery again! Most of the time, this will resolve on its own within a few months, but if you want quick relief, you should see a physiotherapist. They will give you a special massage to the cording, stretch exercises to loosen it, and laser therapy to completely eliminate the pain in your hand within a few weeks.
` Codeine, Axillary Web Syndrome, Breast Cancer Surgery, Armpit Pain, Physical Therapy, Lymph Nodes, Scar Tissue
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