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Shoulder pain from mastectomy with reconstruction?

Page last modified on: August 21, 2008
Question from Nanc: Two weeks after a double mastectomy with implant reconstruction with the muscle lifted above the implant, I began having shoulder pain. I have been doing physical therapy now for about 6 months. While greatly improved, the shoulder still is a problem. How might the surgery relate to the problem and do you have any recommendations for remedies?
Answer —Kristin Brill, M.D., F.A.C.S.: That's a good question. Shoulder pain can come from many sources. It may be due to irritation of nerves that supply the shoulder joint and shoulder blade. It can be related to positioning during surgery or as part of recovery. It can be a primary shoulder joint or rotator cuff problem. If it persists, a shoulder MRI may be helpful to evaluate the cause.

On Wednesday, May 21, 2008, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called After Surgery: Short-term and Long-term Effects. Kristin Brill, M.D., F.A.C.S. and Linda Miller, P.T. answered your questions about short-term and long-term side effects of breast surgery, and what you can do about them.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Kristin Brill, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a breast surgeon and clinical instructor at the Thomas Jefferson University Department of Surgery in Philadelphia, PA. She also maintains a practice in Cherry Hill, N.J. Dr. Brill is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. In addition, she has published breast cancer research in medical journals such as Annals of Plastic Surgery and Cancer, and she has presented research at the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Linda Miller, P.T. is the clinical director of the Breast Cancer Physical Therapy Center, LTD, a private practice serving the Philadelphia, PA and southern New Jersey areas. Linda specializes in treating post-operative complications of breast cancer surgery, including lymphedema.

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