Physiotherapy for Cording – Breast Cancer
Physiotherapy for Cording
- Axillary Web Syndrome – also known as cording is a common symptom post breast or axilla surgery.
- Causes shoulder stiffness in up to 72% of cases.
- Symptoms of shoulder stiffness are often over looked
- Symptoms arising from Axillary web syndrome or cording are not the same as Lymphodema.
- Physiotherapy for cording provides effective symptomatic relief
Cording: Signs and Symptoms
- Difficulty lifting arm forward or sideways
- Difficulty straightening elbow
- Difficulty reaching overhead
- Washing hair
- Reaching for overhead cupboards
- Difficulty dressing / undressing
- Visible band of tight tissue originating in the arm pit and travelling down towards the wrist
- Cording more common in thinner women
- Often reported within 1st and 8th weeks after removal of axillary nodes
Physiotherapy treatment for cording
- Treatment is individualised to each patient
- Approximately 1-2x session / week for 4-6 weeks
- Shoulder mobilisation techniques
- Scar tissue release
- Myofacial release
- Deep tissue massage
- Home exercise program – gentle shoulder exercises and stretches
Expected outcomes with Physiotherapy management
- Increased shoulder ROM – especially with forward and sideway movements
- Reduced pain
- Home exercise program
- Eventual full shoulder ROM – time frames vary person to person
Costs associated with Physiotherapy treatments:
- Private Physiotherapy sessions
- Private health fund – extras cover for Physiotherapy
- Gap payable as per health fund
- EPC referral – GP enhanced primary care referral required
