Cording (axillary web syndrome) can develop weeks or months after any type of breast surgery. Caused by hardened lymph vessels, cording feels like a tight cord running from your armpit down the inside of the arm, sometimes to the palm of your hand.
You may see and feel raised cord-like structures across your arm, chest or breast, which may limit how you move. Gentle stretching exercises in the first weeks after surgery can help improve movement.
Massage, physiotherapy, or low-level laser treatment by a lymphoedema practitioner may also help reduce pain and tightness. Cording usually improves over a few months.
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Dr Diana Adams, Medical Oncologist, Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centre, NSW; Prof Bruce Mann, Specialist Breast Surgeon and Director, Breast Cancer Services, The Royal Melbourne and The Royal Women’s Hospitals, VIC; Dr Shagun Aggarwal, Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Prince of Wales, Sydney Children’s and Royal Hospital for Women, NSW; Andrea Concannon, consumer; Jenny Gilchrist, Nurse Practitioner Breast Oncology, Macquarie University Hospital, NSW; Monica Graham, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; Natasha Keir, Nurse Practitioner Breast Oncology, GenesisCare, QLD; Dr Bronwyn Kennedy, Breast Physician, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse and Westmead Breast Cancer Institute, NSW; Lisa Montgomery, consumer; A/Prof Sanjay Warrier, Specialist Breast Surgeon, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Dr Janice Yeh, Radiation Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC.
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