Few number of patients who underwent axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in combination with breast cancer surgery experience postoperative pain and limited range of motion associated with a palpable cord of tissue extending from the axilla into the arm on the same side. This condition is known as Axillary Web Syndrome (AWS), or Cording Syndrome. It is a painful and functionally limiting complication of breast cancer treatment most likely due to lymphatic thrombosis after lymph node resection. AWS usually occurs within 2-4 weeks following surgery though it has also been identified in patients months to years after surgery.
Treatment of AWS usually includes active and passive stretching, soft tissue mobilization, nerve gliding and cord stretching techniques including myofascial release and scar releases. Early therapy to treat cording can be very effective. Most of the time, cording…
