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Prolonged Discomfort in Right Breast After Mitral Valve Repair
About eight months ago I had a successful mitral valve repair, including an annuloplasty ring, and a left atrial appendage closure, using an Atriclip. However, I have continuing discomfort/tightness in my right breast, incision area. The discomfort is steady and about a 3 on a scale of 10. I am wondering if others may have had a similar situation and what therapy may have helped.
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Hi @saganjames, I had the same surgery close to four years ago, with the same hardware, but I have not experienced pain or tigtness in the incision area. Have you asked your surgeon or staff how to treat this?
When I had my surgery, the Physician's Assistant told me to regularly do the chest stretch where you clasp your hands together behind your back and below your waist or "the incision will pull everything forward." If you haven't done this, it would be best to start very gently. Also, I'm wondering if gentle massage with a lubricant/moisturizer and gentle heat, like an infrared lamp or heating pad, would help.
These are things I would try, if I were experiencing what you are, but I'm not a doctor. So best I think to check back in with your surgeon first. Good luck!
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2 ReactionsThank you so much for your kind, detailed, and helpful information. I will be discussing your suggestions with my surgeon and go from there. I would bet that what you have suggested will help me a lot. I'm very grateful. Have a wonderful day.
You're welcome. There are special scar creams on the market. I always found Vitamin E to be helpful by snipping the end off a capsule and applying it directly to the skin. I look forward to you posting about how it goes and hope you get some relief soon.
Thank you so much for these posts!! I had surgery just over two weeks ago and my new, biggest pain is right breast pain, and right side of sternum pain. It just seemed weird because my incisions and everything else feel fine. I will be doing some stretches and continue with cardiac rehab and hope everything continues to help. Thank you for posting! And the the validation in this pain.