Forum Discussion
When will my upper arm feel normal after mastectomy with axillary clearance?
My op was 10 weeks ago. Physio tells me my arm is normal. Zozo measurement ok. I'm told nerve damage. My arm feel bigger and like something is tight around it. I have a small amount of cording
Hi @Abbydog
Nerve endings do get mashed about a bit in an axillary clearance so some short term swelling and numbness is pretty common. Like @Blossom1961, I had difficulty with roll on deodorant as my armpit clearly belonged to someone else. It’s improved with time, but a bit of feeling loss seems permanent - doesn’t affect anything although if I used hot wax I’d have to be careful, hot or cold does not register very well. But cording or any short term fluid retention may be helped by a lymphoedema therapist. Best wishes.
Nerve endings do get mashed about a bit in an axillary clearance so some short term swelling and numbness is pretty common. Like @Blossom1961, I had difficulty with roll on deodorant as my armpit clearly belonged to someone else. It’s improved with time, but a bit of feeling loss seems permanent - doesn’t affect anything although if I used hot wax I’d have to be careful, hot or cold does not register very well. But cording or any short term fluid retention may be helped by a lymphoedema therapist. Best wishes.