Webbing?

Steelrose and hillck, hello!

Here's information about this condition, which is "officially" known as Axillary Web Syndrome (AWS).

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Cording_and_Axillary_Web_Syndrome.htm

It is not lymphedema, but some experts feel that it's a risk factor for lymphedema, so knowing the lymphedema risk reduction practices would be a good step toward avoiding it. Here are two sites with risk reduction information:

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/riskreduction_for_lymphedema.htm

http://www.lymphnet.org  (See their Position Papers on Risk Reduction, Exercise, and Air Travel)

I sure hope you get quick relief for the AWS, and never have to join our Sorority of Swell!

Be well,
Binney

Rose, make sure the PT you see is fully-qualified to treat lymphedema (they all aren't). That way they'll do a full evaluation for you and give you personalized risk reduction tips. Here's information about qualifications for LE therapists:

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified_Lymphedema_Therapist.htm

http://www.lymphnet.org/pdfDocs/nlntraining.pdf

All the best to you too, Rose! Keep us posted,
Binney

I have cording/web syndrome in both my arms. It's worse on the 4 node side. The 10 node side where I do have LE the cording isn't as bad go figure.

I was told it will never go away. I do have stretch exercises given to me by my LE therapist.

My first PE was not an LE therapist and didn't know what it was.

I had a bilat mast in Jan 09 with 12 nodes removed on my cancer side. After a couple of months I had several cords in my armpit preventing me from being able to lift my arm and in my arm holding it bent. I went to occupational therapy. They would massage  - basically yank and pull on the cords - and one actually "POPPED" giving instant increased range of motion. It was actually really loud but was such a relief. Over the summer I had a lot of pain and redness in my forearm at the "top" of my cord near the crook of my arm (it extended down towards my wrist and attached on the inside of my arm above the wrist). By the time I made it to the doc my pain and infection was resolving itself and soon the cord was gone and my arm was able to straighten. Even with therapy the cords stuck around for several months. In Nov of 09 I was doing a lot of walking while preparing for the 3 day and one day realized that my cords were gone. I think the exercise got things moving in my arm. Most of 09 was spent with my arm not able to even reach out straight in front of me. Thankfully my range of motion has slowly gotten to almost normal. I do have swelling on the bottom of my upper arm and it got worse after surgeries but over time it has gotten better - very subtle but there. My wrist would occasionally swell too. I went to the hyperbaric chamber for healing - kept getting infections on my reconstructed cancer side and I think the HBO therapy actually helped my arm.  My wrist doesn't swell anymore and my upper arm is still slightly thicker but it is better than it was. The year of my mast was just miserable. Thankfully I have healed up pretty good. Webbing can go away though!!!!!!!!!!! - mine are gone thank goodness!!!!! Just takes time. Definitely massage them. It DOES NOT feel good but it works. And it really wasn't a massage as much as pushing and pulling at them. Good luck.