Cording over a year after surgery?

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VL22
VL22 Member Posts: 851
edited August 2018 in Lymphedema

I had cording after my node surgery in June 2017. It went away over a 2 month period. I’ve noticed this week that it is back - same place under my armpit but not as pronounced. Is it from doing push-ups? I am a runner and do some mild weight training, but just really started push ups and planks.Is it a sign of lymphedema? Should I put of certain exercises until us goes away? Thanks for any input.

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited August 2018

    I don't think anyone knows what causes cording. Mine comes back up now and then.

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  • carmstr835
    carmstr835 Member Posts: 388
    edited August 2018

    I had my bilateral mastectomies in March 2017 and reconstruction DIEP July 10 2018 and I still have cording issues. My PT works on my cording when ever I go to see my Oncologist or Plastic surgeon. It was every 3 weeks, but now probably every 8 weeks. It helps when she breaks them up and I continue to do ROM exercises at home .

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  • hugz4u
    hugz4u Member Posts: 2,781
    edited August 2018

    VL. Pushups planks downward dogs and similar are not recommended for those at risk for lymphedema. It would put too much sudden stress on your lymph system sending fluid to rescue the area that is trying to cope with a exercise your body is not use to. This could cause a swell.

    Light weights such as starting out with one pound and gradually working your way up is recommended. This Program method is called PAL program designed for lymphedema exercisers The idea is to start slow and once you have mastered and monitored the one pound weight then move up a pound. I could deadlift 50 tomorrow but that would be unwise. Instead I’ll work my way up slowly. So far no le flares in three years from weightlifting and following PA

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  • VL22
    VL22 Member Posts: 851
    edited August 2018

    Thanks so much for your responses. I thought once cording was gone it was gone for good.

    Hugz- I will definitely check out PAL and take things more slowly. It’s hard not to want to just jump back in to my previous exercise routine.

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  • Ingerp
    Ingerp Member Posts: 2,624
    edited August 2018

    VL22--I've had cording pop up a couple of times from my 2016 surgery, including a year later (and I never had it right after the surgery). In my head both times it happened after I added weightlifting to my gym routine. I asked my BS's helper lady if they might be connected and she said that's entirely possible. All that is to say I think it's can be related to a change in what you're doing at the gym. And both times it went away on its own--I've never done anything specifically to get rid of it.

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited August 2018

    The return of my cording isn't related to an identifiable factor. I agree, though, that we should ramp up to exercise slowly, building lymphatic sufficiency.

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  • Suz-Q
    Suz-Q Member Posts: 205
    edited August 2018

    I still have cording nearly three years after my lumpectomy. I tried PT but it never helped. The therapist kept trying to get the cord to snap. I'm not so sure that was the best plan. I work out and lift weights on a regular basis too. I don't know if this is part of the problem

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