10/10/2025
Let’s highlight some survivors’ experience.💕
Mastectomy, Axillary Node Dissections and Radiation Therapy are commonly cause of shoulder pain and stiffness.
For Radical Mastectomies and Axilliary Node Dissections shoulder pain/ stiffness develop due to:
📌Soft tissue trauma: During surgery, muscles and connective tissues around the chest wall and shoulder are cut or stretched — this can cause scar tissue and tightness as they heal.
📌Nerve irritation: Nerves near the armpit (especially the long thoracic and intercostobrachial nerves) can become irritated or damaged, leading to pain, numbness, or that “pulling” feeling.
📌Protective posture: After surgery, many women naturally guard the affected side keeping the arm close to the body to avoid pain. Over time, this limited movement leads to FROZEN SHOULDER (especially in patients with underlying diabetes) or reduced range of motion.
For Radiation Therapy here’s how it happens:
📌Tissue fibrosis: Radiation can cause the skin, muscles, and connective tissues in the chest and shoulder region to become thicker and less elastic. Over time, this leads to tightness, stiffness, and restricted movement.
📌Inflammation & reduced circulation: Radiation may cause local inflammation and reduced blood flow, making the tissues more prone to stiffness and discomfort.
📌Protective posture: Many people unconsciously limit movement on the treated side to avoid pulling or pain but this actually worsens stiffness over time.
📌Nerve sensitivity: Radiation can sometimes irritate nearby nerves, causing aching, burning, or a “pulling” sensation when moving the arm.
🎀 Remember — healing is not just about removing cancer; it’s about reclaiming full function and comfort in your body. Hence the role of Oncology Rehabilitation/ Physiotherapy.
💬 Have you or someone you know experienced shoulder tightness after radiation? Comment below or tag them, awareness is the first step to recovery.
