Sore shoulder and arm after surgery

Question

Hi I'm new today and was given your details from an old friend who has been here a few years ago on.
Since my lumpectomy two weeks ago my shoulder and arm have been really sore and tender and not working like before.
A y suggestions?

melclarity · Answer

@SYT Welcome! did you have any lymph nodes out? Even so, just a lumpectomy alone the pain can radiate to the shoulder and arm. I am 18 months post lumpectomy and my armpit is still numb and tender at times but not enough that Im concerned. The other thing I can remember which I think can add to the shoulder problem is I was a little more cautious and I know at first I wasnt using it like I used to, I almost was like tense which added to the pain, so as the time went on the more I used it and the more things came back to normal. Hugs Melinda xo&nbsp;

syt · Answer

Good to hear. No lymph nodes are coming out next week in op no. 2. Have been using Google but it feels like a rubber band around my arm between shoulder and elbow. Have had some massage and resting get nights of &nbsp;soft pillow...&nbsp;

melclarity · Answer

Oh ok, not sure its from the surgery, I can only think that I do remember I was more tense in the arm on the side of the lumpectomy almost like protecting my chest. Massage would be good, maybe even a heat pack? may help to relax the arm.

inkpetal · Answer

Your body has been through a trauma and knows it, you may have had nerves damaged that are healing and you're stitching yourself up on the inside anyway so you can expect some odd things. I had a lot of pain in my arm after surgery too, not because of the surgery itself but because while I was unconscious during the surgery I was posed for hours with my arm above my head so they could access the breast. I woke up with stabbing sensations and joint pain in addition to all the other bunk.
...and then I went and slept on my arm funny too :lol:.
Have a talk to your doctor about it, especially if there's any tingling or stiffness.