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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Shoulder Blade And Ribs Pain With Arm Stiffness?

Hi i finished chemo ,radiotherapy x 20 1st nov for lt breast cancer had full axilliary node clearence but were all negative i have been feeling pain in shoulder blade and under ribs in left side and more stiffness to my arm would this still be the effects of treatment or should i get it checked out as it seems to more stiff and painfull now than immediately after treatment .
posted on Thu, 13 Mar 2014
Twitter Thu, 24 Sep 2015 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 20 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on
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Oncologist, Radiation,  's  Response
Hi i am radiation oncologist . breast cancer patients may have post treatment side effects on the affected side. in your case you are developing fibrotic (post surgery and radiotherapy) changes in your left side chest wall which can cause feeling of stiffness and chest pain. this type of side effects can be prevented to some extent by doing physiotherapy and shoulder exercises. i would suggest you to meet physiotherapist and do shoulder exercises too to prevent further worsening of symptoms. apart from meeting physiotherapist you should do followup with your treating oncologist (surgical or radiation) for local examination check up and routine tests. hope this answer would have helped you. for any clarifications you can write to me. thanks
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  Anonymous's Response
Anonymous's  Response
hi,
your symptoms are because of neural injury in the local area during the surgery. It is quite a often complain in axillary clearance surgical candidates. Usually it resolve with time
Aggressive physiotherapy often helps
Piracetam is often utilised for the neural pain which is present in your case, I think that can prove to be helpful .

I dont think it need further evaluation untill it changes its intensity or character.

good luck
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What Causes Shoulder Blade And Ribs Pain With Arm Stiffness?

Hi i am radiation oncologist . breast cancer patients may have post treatment side effects on the affected side. in your case you are developing fibrotic (post surgery and radiotherapy) changes in your left side chest wall which can cause feeling of stiffness and chest pain. this type of side effects can be prevented to some extent by doing physiotherapy and shoulder exercises. i would suggest you to meet physiotherapist and do shoulder exercises too to prevent further worsening of symptoms. apart from meeting physiotherapist you should do followup with your treating oncologist (surgical or radiation) for local examination check up and routine tests. hope this answer would have helped you. for any clarifications you can write to me. thanks