Forum Discussion

Nadi's avatar
Nadi
Member
8 years ago

Can cording develop 22 months after surgery???

Hi All, just after a bit of advice /info about cording.  I have noticed a pulling/tightening on my side, above my surgical scar  that runs up into my arm pit. When I did a check in the shower I found what I think may be a cord running from my armpit down my arm to my elbow. It's really noticeable when I raise my arm above my head. What's strange is that it seems to have appeared overnight and I had my surgery in November 2015! Is it possible to get a cord so late after surgery? I thought I had dodged that bullet. Any advice as to how to relieve the pulling sensation? I am overseas at the moment so don't have access to a physio or any of my medical team. Thanks in advance.
  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    8 years ago
    It might have tightened with less movement with travel and only really noticable now due to all the weight you've loss. Yep ...keep stretching...think of those post op exercises. Hope otherwise all going well on your trip. It will wait. Kath x
  • socoda's avatar
    socoda
    Member
    8 years ago
    Yep, I was told they thought it was cells from the lymph fluid that bond together in the lymph pathways and form the cord and that's why it can be snapped with no issues. I do think it's all just an educated guess though. 
  • Unicornkisses's avatar
    Unicornkisses
    Member
    8 years ago
    My lymph physio said it wasn't clear exactly what the cords were. Possibilities were blood or lymph vessels that had hardened as they had nowhere for the contents to go. That sort of makes sense. Apparently the body can gradually break them down by itself too. My physio is a lot nicer that all of yours, she uses massage and laser to work on them. 
  • Nadi's avatar
    Nadi
    Member
    8 years ago
    Thanks all. I will keep stretching for now until I get home. Dr Google isn't being very helpful telling me what a 'cord' actually is. Has anyone been told by their surgeon or onc, what a cord is? Is it a different kind of scar tissue? I had SNB so I thought cording wouldn't happen to me.
  • Molly001's avatar
    Molly001
    Member
    8 years ago
    My 'cord' hung around a couple of months after my surgery and disappeared with regular exercise and movement. It came back 6 months later with radiotherapy and is settling back down again now it's finished. I'm guessing it'll come and go like that with stress to my body.
  • socoda's avatar
    socoda
    Member
    8 years ago
    I had two very thin cords that seemed to disappear over summer (Lymphoedema nurse tried breaking them but they're too flexible) and they have come back during the colder weather along with the associated aching, the massage is a particular snapping type where you get an area of cording by pinching it and then quickly snap your thumb and index finger out to snap the cord tight and this is supposed to break the fibres. Goodluck with it, hope you can do it. Hope your having a good time overseas too. Xoxo
  • Brenda5's avatar
    Brenda5
    Member
    8 years ago
    We  must have had surgery at roughly the same time. The other day I had the cord thing which comes and goes. i reached behind my chair to pick up something and there was a snap under my arm followed by some omg pain and curse words. It was ginger for a few days but came good and no cord there now. 
  • Zoffiel's avatar
    Zoffiel
    Member
    8 years ago

    Keep stretching it and get onto your BC Nurse when you get back and have her organize an appointment with a physio who specializes in this stuff. Unfortunately it seems cording can sneak up quite a while after surgery.

    The pulling thing is creepy, but, from what I have been told regarding my own issues, the best thing to do is keep working at it. There is specific massage that is sometimes used to treat cording where they apply enough tension to break the cords, but it is not pleasant and I certainly can't do it to myself. My physio, however, takes to my armpit with all the enthusiasm of a kid popping bubble wrap, 'Ooohh, there goes another one!' while I'm biting on a towel. Enjoy your holiday, this stuff can wait until you get home.  Marg