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Thursday, July 16, 2009 Dawn asks

Q: shoulder injury w/ recon. surgery

shoulder injury during recon. surgery.

I have found 3 women in my small group and the ortho-pod states this is a common injury and risk with breast recon. so here i sit awaiting surgery to repair my shoulder and my breast surgeon has not returned my call since i notified his office of the injury and asked why it was not discovered sooner with the pain i was exp. he sent me to a pain clinic for non- specific pain referred breast pain will get better over time well pain doc did not look into a poss. reason either i think they treated me like a woman having a difficult time dealing with my double mast. snd gave me pain pills demerol, so not only am i dealing with a torn shoulder but need help weaning off pain med. 6 mos. later. I think this injury should of been listed as a risk and evaluated with the pain i was exp. I have walked the floors at night for 6 months. exhausted, pain and 200-300 mg of demerol later.yes i am frustrated if only i knew i am hoping this will help others that have persisitent pain after surgery to ask the right questions. thank you

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Answers (1)
Phyllis Johnson, Health Guide
7/16/09 5:09pm

I'm sorry to hear about your shoulder pain.  I didn't have reconstruction, but I know that shoulder problems are a complication of mastectomy.  Thanks for warning other women to learn about this problem and advocate for themselves.  If I were queen of the world, an automatic referral to a physical therapist would be routine follow-up care after a mastectomy.  I doubt that my wish will ever come true, but I think most doctors and insurance policies will refer to a physical therapist after breast surgery if the patient has a specific reason to ask, such as shoulder pain or restricted range of movement.  It's a shame your doctors weren't quicker to make the connection between your surgery and your shoulder pain.

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8/ 2/09 5:03pm

I had a masectomy but because I had been doing both yoga and weight lifting both before and during chemo, I was able to recover very quickly and get back almost a full range of motion in my arm.  The activity also built up muscles to hold the joint firmly, so pain from bursitis is also gone. Go to a trainer who is experienced in rehab weight, balance and flexibility training.

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Phyllis Johnson, Health Guide
8/ 2/09 10:55pm

Great suggestion for people who have enough advanced notice about their surgery to exercise before the surgery.  Since I had chemo before my mastectomy, I was able to start some arm strengthening exercises first.  Your idea about seeing an experience trainer is also a good one.

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By Dawn— Last Modified: 12/19/10, First Published: 07/16/09