Can anyone tell me how they have managed cording? I have a pretty bad case in my left arm -- it starts in my armpit and goes all the way down to my wrist, and also down my chest. When I twist you can see a cord across my lower ribs/stomach. I know it is supposed to get better by itself, but I've had this for months now & it's really starting to annoy me more and more (especially as it is limiting what I can do at yoga and in other exercise). I'm still doing radiation therapy so guess I'll have to put up with it for a while yet, but would appreciate hearing about any 'success stories' in treating it. Heather

Hi Heather , I developed cording post lumpectomy across my chest going down to my hip and it was painfull. What helped me was masaging the area in the shower and after shower with vit e cream . After few days while I had my little massage in the shower the cord just popped and from then on it got better. Hope this helps, Monica

Hi Heather I had a similar problem after my surgeries. I have been seeing a great physio for a while now and she has really helped. My oncologist referred me to her as she works with a lot of breast cancer patients. Are you in Melbourne? I can give you her name if you are. Otherwise ask your oncologist, surgeon or breast care nurse if they can recommend someone. My GP also gave me an EPC (I think that's what it's called) which allows me 5 free visits to the physio - fully claimable through Medicare. Ann-Marie x

Cording (post-mastectomy) | BCNA Online Network

25 Replies

Kari
Member
14 years ago
6 weeks will pass by very quickly both physios the one from the SAN and the one from the Mater ( she has her PHD in breast Sx) are great. It is important to do your own exercises concentrate in the wall exercises and hold for a few seconds a couple of times a day. And all will be ok. The physios will help you to progress quickly as they can break the tethering of the cording. All the best Kari
Kari
Member
14 years ago
6 weeks will pass by very quickly both physios the one from the SAN and the one from the Mater ( she has her PHD in breast Sx) are great. It is important to do your own exercises concentrate in the wall exercises and hold for a few seconds a couple of times a day. And all will be ok. The physios will help you to progress quickly as they can break the tethering of the cording. All the best Kari
Kari
Member
14 years ago
6 weeks will pass by very quickly both physios the one from the SAN and the one from the Mater ( she has her PHD in breast Sx) are great. It is important to do your own exercises concentrate in the wall exercises and hold for a few seconds a couple of times a day. And all will be ok. The physios will help you to progress quickly as they can break the tethering of the cording. All the best Kari
hjoyy
Member
14 years ago
Thanks so much Kari and Chris and Joy. I'll follow up those leads. Radio starts tomorrow. Not looking forward to having to go every day. I have better things to do!
Chris
Member
14 years ago
Hi Heather, there is an excellent physio at the SAN hospital who specialises in Lymphodema massage and cording. She also uses a laser. She used it on me for very tight muscles across my expanders and it was great. Her name is Kim. Ask for her by name as some of the others aren't as good as her. My health fund BUPA is very generous with lymphodema treatment, and so far I haven't had to pay a thing. All health funds are different of course, but they do recognise lymphodema and cording. Good luck. Love Chris xx
Chris
Member
14 years ago
Hi Heather, there is an excellent physio at the SAN hospital who specialises in Lymphodema massage and cording. She also uses a laser. She used it on me for very tight muscles across my expanders and it was great. Her name is Kim. Ask for her by name as some of the others aren't as good as her. My health fund BUPA is very generous with lymphodema treatment, and so far I haven't had to pay a thing. All health funds are different of course, but they do recognise lymphodema and cording. Good luck. Love Chris xx
Chris
Member
14 years ago
Hi Heather, there is an excellent physio at the SAN hospital who specialises in Lymphodema massage and cording. She also uses a laser. She used it on me for very tight muscles across my expanders and it was great. Her name is Kim. Ask for her by name as some of the others aren't as good as her. My health fund BUPA is very generous with lymphodema treatment, and so far I haven't had to pay a thing. All health funds are different of course, but they do recognise lymphodema and cording. Good luck. Love Chris xx
Kari
Member
14 years ago
Unfortunatelly Many Physiotherapists dont have experience treating cording. There is not much research about the best way how to treat cording; however, at the moment there are two treatments 1st breaking manually the cording by an expert therapist and secondly stretches exercises on the wall. I review my patients after they develop cording about 2 or 3 times. It resolves with exercises in few weeks. It is not a nice feelin, the tightness and the pain going to the arm or even going down to the abdomen and leg but don't get scare kep moving and stretching your arm.

Best wishes to any one who develops cording Cheers

Kari
Gadgetmumma
Member
14 years ago
HI Bardoe

Everything you said in this post has come to fruition! :) I have two treatments left on the bolus! Yeah! Nearly there.

My skin has blistered and I am having burns dressing on every day but it is not painful, only uncomfortable. It has only been this las tweek and I expect into next week.

The fatigue hit me hard about 10 days ago - wet rag - and I couldn't go to work. I will be having next week off as well (3 in total). I can't get through the day without a sleep in the arvo.

My daughter (& baby) arrived yesterday so that is really wonderful. Such a tonic.

Everyone at RT are just wonderful (as you say) and very professional. It doesn't feel like treatment at all. I've met some lovely people there and made friends with one of the pats who finished last week but has to come back for dressings. She has had chemo as well so has really been through the mill, like you. I feel so darned lucky! Truly!

Thanks for your support.

Jenny (Gadgetmumma)
Gadgetmumma
Member
14 years ago
Hello HB

I developed cording in my right arm - like you, right down to the wrist, and very painful. The best exercises for me were the stretching ones, where I had to reach to 'touch the ceiling' and then slowly twist my arm. I could gradually increase the distance. I also walked up the wall.

I tried to find a cording physio and went to the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney. The physio I saw there had never heard of it (she was fresh out of college) but the head physio had and asked her to do lymphodema massage! (?) I didn't go back. But the stretching exercises they gave me in hospital did the trick. It went away in 6 weeks.

Best wishes

Jenny