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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.

sequoia | @sequoia | Dec 4, 2022

@polianad22 & @roch I find @roch post very interesting. This last year I have been having back & thoracic problems. The thoracic area and bottom of scapula have severe muscle spasms & tightness. This in turn pulls my rib and spine out of alignment. I had a mastectomy on right side only 3 years ago. Since that surgery, lying on my right side has always been tender in the rib area , one specific area. I’ve done everything, chiropractic, PT, strength training, yoga. It keeps me fit but doesn’t help the rib pain & the cycle of muscle spasms.
Just last week, I went to an acupuncture doctor and she said she thinks it is scar tissue. I ‘think’ the side is a ‘bit’ better, as far as lying on that side. She did acupuncture needles as well as cupping.
This post that I ran across because @polianad22 responded is Very timely. I don’t know if this is cording or of cording occurs in rib area, but this felt something that she thought was scar tissue Or adipose tissue. I will be discussing this with her as well as other areas of concern. Thank you @polianad22 for starting this post again as it was initially 2019.

REPLY
polianad22 | @polianad22 | Dec 10, 2022
In reply to @dmpill "I have massive cording that started the day after my mastectomy and alnd. It's been there..." + (show)
@dmpill

I have massive cording that started the day after my mastectomy and alnd. It's been there two years and no amount of physical therapy budges it, although I go in two hours a week for manipulation and working on the tight muscles it causes. I have about half the range of motion I had before. My PT thinks it is due to too much moving right after surgery, then inflammation caused by mild cellulitis that went on for weeks as I couldn't get the surgical team to diagnose it (the oncologist did, though), and then the surgical team had tried to do petrissage too early and without accompanying lymph drainage, resulting in even more cords forming. I have a couple of blood clotting mutations and had low normal BMI as well as being on blood thinners for six months after surgery, so those may also have added to the problem. At any rate, these cords are not dissolving or going away on their own or with traditional PT or massage. I've seen occasional references to releasing them surgically or via needling, so after this whole Covid thing is resolved, will look into that. Surgeons who deal with scarring from breast implants may be a resource.

Jump to this post

https://youtube.com/@TheBreastCancerPhysio

REPLY
dick61 | @dick61 | Dec 11, 2022
In reply to @dmpill "I have massive cording that started the day after my mastectomy and alnd. It's been there..." + (show)
@dmpill

I have massive cording that started the day after my mastectomy and alnd. It's been there two years and no amount of physical therapy budges it, although I go in two hours a week for manipulation and working on the tight muscles it causes. I have about half the range of motion I had before. My PT thinks it is due to too much moving right after surgery, then inflammation caused by mild cellulitis that went on for weeks as I couldn't get the surgical team to diagnose it (the oncologist did, though), and then the surgical team had tried to do petrissage too early and without accompanying lymph drainage, resulting in even more cords forming. I have a couple of blood clotting mutations and had low normal BMI as well as being on blood thinners for six months after surgery, so those may also have added to the problem. At any rate, these cords are not dissolving or going away on their own or with traditional PT or massage. I've seen occasional references to releasing them surgically or via needling, so after this whole Covid thing is resolved, will look into that. Surgeons who deal with scarring from breast implants may be a resource.

Jump to this post

Boy, you are struggling with this mess! I went to a PT who specialized in treating only cording, and his wife specialized in lymphedema treatment. My PT was a male like me, and we really worked on it. I am also doing exercises at gym. He told me to keep exercising and the cording would be resolved until I am in diapers. Hope you can find such a specialist.

Good luck.

REPLY
maggieb892 | @maggieb892 | Dec 11, 2022
In reply to @polianad22 "Thank you ladies." + (show)
@polianad22

Thank you ladies.

Jump to this post

I know that we all have individual experiences following our surgery and treatments. During my PT, (this is my second time around with it) my therapist indroduced me to cupping. I instantly felt relieve and movement was easier for the week following. I've had several sessions which lengthened the relieve. I'm now seeing the therapist once a month. I continue doing exercises at home. After two months, I'm feeling that I might need the cupping again.
I wonder if some day we wake up and feel perfectly fine without any reminders of cancer and it's after effects. Best of luck and many prayers for all dealing with disease and it's added gifts.

REPLY
drummergirl | @drummergirl | Dec 11, 2022

I also had cording along with mild lymphedema in my left arm. I had a mastectomy and the minimal three nodes removed for testing. I had twice weekly lymphedema massages for several months. She would knead the cording to break it up as well as massage my arm and left chest. It did improve my lymphedema/cording greatly. You can learn self massage to maintain. It can be painful and uncomfortable, so I hope you can get help.

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hollyng | @hollyng | Oct 19, 2023

I had surgery September 22 and I have cording. It’s very painful. I’m presently looking for a PT or occupational therapist who is experienced in stretching and massaging this palpable painful area. Please let us know your outcome.

REPLY
1 reply
tduser2023 | @tduser2023 | Oct 23, 2023

Hi Friends,
I am 45 and I was diagnosed in 2019 on right side, mastectomy was one and then implant was placed. I have been taking Tamoxifen since 2019. My Dr explained lot of side effect of Tamoxifen and I am aware of them.

After surgery I was going to lymphoma clinic to drain and then Physio Therapy because I started developing cording on right arm from where lymphnodes are taken out. My nurse told me I started having cording(AWS - Auxiliary Web Syndrome). Later they showed me how to break the cording, even my husband do them for me. I had been doing some starches, exercise to manage the pain and keep mobility as much as possible.
Initial it has started on right arm but after 1 year or so I started having on left arm and it has progressed in all over body. I have done MRI and even lately I have seen rheumatologist and did test and it was clear.
Even after 4 years of surgery and I am still living with pain mostly due to cording. Sometime it will be on legs, on finger, calf, stomach or chest. I am very active women and try to control my weight, do exercise, walking, keep my self busy with kids and family. But this pain drags me and my family behind.

Any one has any similar situation and how did you manage? Any suggestions are appreciated.

REPLY
8 replies
timely | @timely | Oct 24, 2023
In reply to @tduser2023 "Hi Friends, I am 45 and I was diagnosed in 2019 on right side, mastectomy was..." + (show)
@tduser2023

Hi Friends,
I am 45 and I was diagnosed in 2019 on right side, mastectomy was one and then implant was placed. I have been taking Tamoxifen since 2019. My Dr explained lot of side effect of Tamoxifen and I am aware of them.

After surgery I was going to lymphoma clinic to drain and then Physio Therapy because I started developing cording on right arm from where lymphnodes are taken out. My nurse told me I started having cording(AWS - Auxiliary Web Syndrome). Later they showed me how to break the cording, even my husband do them for me. I had been doing some starches, exercise to manage the pain and keep mobility as much as possible.
Initial it has started on right arm but after 1 year or so I started having on left arm and it has progressed in all over body. I have done MRI and even lately I have seen rheumatologist and did test and it was clear.
Even after 4 years of surgery and I am still living with pain mostly due to cording. Sometime it will be on legs, on finger, calf, stomach or chest. I am very active women and try to control my weight, do exercise, walking, keep my self busy with kids and family. But this pain drags me and my family behind.

Any one has any similar situation and how did you manage? Any suggestions are appreciated.

Jump to this post

Research ginger oil, ginger and teas that help lymphedema drainage.

Make sure that what you use is not contraindicated because of heart issues, any meds., diabetes, or other health issues. This goes for the teas also.

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