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Cording / Axillary Web Syndrome (AWS)

Posted by Laurie, Volunteer Mentor @roch, Apr 4, 2019


Does anyone have experience with Cording, also called Axillary Web Syndrome (AWS)

I recently found a rope like structures under the skin in my armpit. I asked my radiation oncologist about and he explained it was called Cording and is scar tissue. I had a lumpectomy and few lymph nodes removed 6 months ago and I did not notice any cording. I am on my 3rd week of radiation and cording is now apparent.

Here is an article on cording:
https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/aws
The dr did give me some stretching exercises.
I am interested in hearing from others who have had cording and if you had any treatment for.

Laurie M

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

lcr2017 | @lcr2017 | Jun 7 10:00am
In reply to @jane2024 "I recently developed cording. I noticed the issue a couple of weeks after the surgery but..." + (show)
@jane2024

I recently developed cording. I noticed the issue a couple of weeks after the surgery but the nurse was not sure and said it would probably get better as the scars heal. It has not so I went to see an occupational therapist today and was told that it was cording. I will start OT treatment and see how it works. It is not pleasant to have cording to say the least.

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I had cording down my left arm and underneath my reconstruction. Many PT’s and doctors don’t know what it is. I asked for a pt prescription and found 2 lymphedema specialists at my ambulatory center. They told me I had way more cording than I thought. Exercise there and at home and massage to break it up.
They gave me a lot of twists and I am finding that my yoga practices include similar twists. They also had me use a rod over my head during the twists. It can come back. I am always uncomfortable on my left side but no pain.

A good PT will often print out the exercises or connect you to videos.

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maggieb892 | @maggieb892 | Jun 7 8:39pm
In reply to @lislordav "Thanks for that. I have cording over right rib cage. 2 and a half months after..." + (show)
@lislordav

Thanks for that. I have cording over right rib cage. 2 and a half months after double mastectomy with reconstruction

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My cording stayed with me for quite some time. I have to exercise almost every day now (final surgery in April of 23). I don't see the cording but I have the tightness when I skip the stretching. I'm glad the web site was helpful

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1 reply
celestebradham | @celestebradham | Jun 8 1:16pm
In reply to @jane2024 "I recently developed cording. I noticed the issue a couple of weeks after the surgery but..." + (show)
@jane2024

I recently developed cording. I noticed the issue a couple of weeks after the surgery but the nurse was not sure and said it would probably get better as the scars heal. It has not so I went to see an occupational therapist today and was told that it was cording. I will start OT treatment and see how it works. It is not pleasant to have cording to say the least.

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I saw an OT but she was a lymphedema specialist too. You’ll get there.

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jane2024 | @jane2024 | Jun 8 2:56pm

Thanks to everyone. My OT printed a page of exercises for me to practice daily. I am going to see her twice a week for 4 weeks. She also gave me a small piece of dycern to message my scars. I hope the cording will eventually go away. Right now, I feel slight improvements. It has been 8 weeks since my DMX.

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jane2024 | @jane2024 | Jul 14 8:20pm

I have had a number OT sessions over the past 1.5 months. I have gained more mobility with less pain. However I noticed recently that I started feeling some pulling at the forearm, which I did not notice before. Am not sure if any of you have had similar symptoms. It has been over 3 months since the double mastectomy but my scars have not fully healed. How long does it take for you to feel normal again? Thanks.

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giggilove | @giggilove | Jul 15 6:29pm
In reply to @maggieb892 "My cording stayed with me for quite some time. I have to exercise almost every day..." + (show)
@maggieb892

My cording stayed with me for quite some time. I have to exercise almost every day now (final surgery in April of 23). I don't see the cording but I have the tightness when I skip the stretching. I'm glad the web site was helpful

Jump to this post

I also have to stretch daily and massage the area around and below my armpit where lymph nodes were removed. I had my DM almost 4 years ago. It's an on-going process for me but the PT/OT I did for 8 weeks following my radiation was invaluable! Get as much professional help as you can, hang in there and try to be patient - recovery is different for everyone.

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fotinihellas | @fotinihellas | Aug 11 12:19pm

Hello!
One month and eleven days ago I had my sentinel lymph node removal, after lumpectomy, that ended in me getting the axillary web syndrome just a few days after the surgery.

I am still recovering due to that cording (axillary web syndrome) that I have in my arm that extends to my breast (the one that gets the radiotherapy), under the shoulder, arm and back.

My physical therapists told me that I am still considered as a recovery patient and that my cording will seize existing after a period of approximately 3 months after the surgery.

By now, I have had the 2nd out of 19 radiotherapy sessions and I am concerned about How Will my Radiotherapy Affect my Breast-Arm Cording?

Thank you in advance 🙂

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1 reply
Moderator
Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | Aug 14 9:43am
In reply to @fotinihellas "Hello! One month and eleven days ago I had my sentinel lymph node removal, after lumpectomy,..." + (show)
@fotinihellas

Hello!
One month and eleven days ago I had my sentinel lymph node removal, after lumpectomy, that ended in me getting the axillary web syndrome just a few days after the surgery.

I am still recovering due to that cording (axillary web syndrome) that I have in my arm that extends to my breast (the one that gets the radiotherapy), under the shoulder, arm and back.

My physical therapists told me that I am still considered as a recovery patient and that my cording will seize existing after a period of approximately 3 months after the surgery.

By now, I have had the 2nd out of 19 radiotherapy sessions and I am concerned about How Will my Radiotherapy Affect my Breast-Arm Cording?

Thank you in advance 🙂

Jump to this post

Hello @fotinihellas, I combined your discussion on Cording with an existing discussion titled, "Cording / Axillary Web Syndrome (AWS)" - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cording-axillary-web-syndrome-aws/ so you could meet the many members actively discussing this condition after receiving radiation therapy.

@roch, @lcr2017, @maggieb892, and @jane2024 are but a few members to share their experiences with axillary web syndrome.

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