Morn all, I had cording in my arm during RT, had physio and all ok after it snapped. I’m not 7 months post surgery.The past week I have noticed my arm being tight, yesterday morn I put my arm up in the mirror and saw the cord from my breast almost down to my belly button. I managed to snap it. This morn there is a small bruise at the top of the cord, I could still see it and managed to snap it again 😩Its a little sore.Do I need to see someone? What can I do apart from stretching and massaging to manage this better? Is it normal to have cording downwards? I thought it would only form in your arm.

Worth remembering that fluid build up in an affected limb impedes the body’s natural ability to overcome germs. Over seven year with lymphoedema I have only got cellulitis once, but it was a salutary lesson about how easy it is to get an infection that my arm can’t manage. As @Nadi says, treat any cuts or abrasions on the affected limb with care and immediately. My cellulitis was almost certainly caused by a manicure (so won’t do that again!) but simple things like scratches from roses or cats can do it too. Just normal, pandemic type hygiene will do the trick!

Mightystar I had cording months after surgery, the physio at the Breast Assessment centre massaged a few times and things returned to normal. That was a few years ago, only recently I wore a blouse that was a little tight under the armpit (vanity!) and the next day there was cording down the length of my arm. Physio was beneficial. I also did the stretching. Can you contact your Breast Care Nurse? If not I would return to physio as soon as you can. Hope this settles.

I'm not sure what's happening with these services during isolation but it sounds like you need to see a specialist physio. I had cording from not long after surgery that lasted for about 18 months. It wasn't the sort that snapped so was always in the background but would periodically flare. I went for treatment (massage and laser therapy) every couple of months to keep it under control. Then, all of a sudden, it seemed to be gone.

Not all cords snap - it depends on the type, apparently.

I am 4 years post surgery and I still get cording if I have an infection usually from a cut on my hand. I see a lymphatic specialist physio. The last two times I've had cords, Jan and Feb this year, I've also ended up in hospital with sepsis from an infection (dog bite and cut on hand). The February sepsis I was so unwell that had to be worked on in resus in the ER. Now I am much more careful regarding cuts on my hands - I treat them with betadine straight away and put my compression sleeve on immediately for 3 or 4 days. So, my advice would be see a specialist physio with experience in lymphoedema and/or cording, ask about a compression sleeve, and try to avoid any cuts or injury to your skin. Some women are more prone to cords than others. Good luck

Cording 7 months post surgery? | BCNA Online Network

Giovanna_BCNA
Member
5 years ago
Hi @JennyD78 thanks interesting article
JennyD78
Member
5 years ago
Hi @Mightystar
I found this article which indicates you can get cording/fibrosis in your trunk. Best thing to do would be to see a lymphedema specialist or your breast care nurse so they can have a look and try and help.
https://lymphaticnetwork.org/news-events/understanding-breast-cancer-related-fibrosis
Afraser
Member
5 years ago
Worth remembering that fluid build up in an affected limb impedes the body’s natural ability to overcome germs. Over seven year with lymphoedema I have only got cellulitis once, but it was a salutary lesson about how easy it is to get an infection that my arm can’t manage. As @Nadi says, treat any cuts or abrasions on the affected limb with care and immediately. My cellulitis was almost certainly caused by a manicure (so won’t do that again!) but simple things like scratches from roses or cats can do it too. Just normal, pandemic type hygiene will do the trick!
Mightystar
Member
5 years ago
@Nadi that sounds really rough! Oh my, glad you’re doing ok now. I do need to go and see someone, back at the surgeon shortly and will get a referral then. Thank you for sharing.
Nadi
Member
5 years ago
I am 4 years post surgery and I still get cording if I have an infection usually from a cut on my hand. I see a lymphatic specialist physio. The last two times I've had cords, Jan and Feb this year, I've also ended up in hospital with sepsis from an infection (dog bite and cut on hand). The February sepsis I was so unwell that had to be worked on in resus in the ER. Now I am much more careful regarding cuts on my hands - I treat them with betadine straight away and put my compression sleeve on immediately for 3 or 4 days. So, my advice would be see a specialist physio with experience in lymphoedema and/or cording, ask about a compression sleeve, and try to avoid any cuts or injury to your skin. Some women are more prone to cords than others. Good luck
Sister
Member
5 years ago
Not all cords snap - it depends on the type, apparently.
Mightystar
Member
5 years ago
Hi @Abbydog, perhaps ask your physio before you do anything?
I had one physio session and the therapist showed me how to snap it and clear the fluid build up. It is quite satisfying and provides some relief!
Abbydog
Member
5 years ago
Is snapping usual or normal? I have some in my upper arm and through the chest. My op 10 weeks ago, I'm having physio and laser.
Snapping sounds desirable How do you do it?
Sister
Member
5 years ago
I'm not sure what's happening with these services during isolation but it sounds like you need to see a specialist physio. I had cording from not long after surgery that lasted for about 18 months. It wasn't the sort that snapped so was always in the background but would periodically flare. I went for treatment (massage and laser therapy) every couple of months to keep it under control. Then, all of a sudden, it seemed to be gone.
Mightystar
Member
5 years ago
Hi Again, hope you’re all doing well. My underarm through my ribs is really tight, skin looks dimply when I stretch up. It feels like I have cording underneath my ribs, so very sore, can’t feel anything to snap it this time. Is cording underneath your ribs possible?