Excisional biopsy and pain
I had surgery under general anesthesia for an excional biopsy of a .8 cm lump in left breast. It was a fibroadenoma. It has been about four weeks since surgery and I have developed pain in rib cage below that breast. It hurts to touch it. Seems on top of rib cage under skin. I have no pain or redness of breast and no signs of infection. When I stretch my arm up I see a line that goes from incision down to the bottom of Brest. Looks sorta like a small vein but never noticed it before...no color just beneath the surface. Like a small rope.
The pain started about a week ago and wasn't bothering me at my 2 wk follow up so I didn't mention it. Could this be related to the surgery? It's gradually gotten worse and hurts to stretch or lay on it but no other signs. Gestating to worry a bit so I would appreciate any information I can get. Thanks so much!
Comments
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This sounds to me like what is known as "cording", which is sometimes a byproduct of breast surgery. I would contact your breast surgeon, who may refer you to physical therapy.
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Thank you! Never heard of it but after looking it up you may be right. I will call Monday morning if there is no change. Seems the pain keeps getting further down that side and is tender right below the rib cage now. I couldn't find anything that sounded like it on google until I used the word cording. You have been very helpful.
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Happy to help! Sadly, I know much more about these things than I used to....
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Cording typically only happens with lymph node removal, but what you describe sounds like it. I believe it's called truncal cording or something like that based on location. Good luck!
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I saw a lot online about it occurring down the arm after lymph node removal. I also saw a lot on breast augmentation surgeries. I can't believe after such a simple removal that I have developed it. After looking at pictures and symptoms I am pretty confident that is the problem. Pics of it are identical. It is painful though especially in ribs so I think I will let Dr. Take a look at it anyway. Pain keeps getting further down that side. Hurts to stretch or touch it. I will look up truncalcording. Thanks!
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Best thing you can do is start trying to stretch it even though that seems counerintuitive. Work up to the pain, but not through it to agony. I have cording under my arm and daily exercise has helped. I also go to a lymphedema certified PT and she does myofascial release massage on it. Get seen soon. Then you have a greater chance of getting past it.
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