I had lumpectomy and node clearance but now suffering from winging which is where your shoulder blade sticks out. Anyone else had this and did it recover?
Hi Maxwell3 sorry to hear you have this, it’s incredibly uncomfortable isn’t it? I had it after my ANC in August last year. I asked for a physio referral immediately as I wanted to make sure it would recover. There’s some information online about how it needs prompt attention - mostly on American sites like BreastCancerOrg - which suggest it does need help to improve.
Physio did a lot of manipulation at each session but also gave me a number of exercises to do daily in between sessions. Different to the ones I was given immediately post surgery. It’s now back to normal 6 months later but I’m still doing the exercises several times a week as well as it helps to continue to build strength on that side.
I won’t try and describe them here in case they’re not right for your particular circumstances but I’d strongly recommend seeking physiotherapy if you’re able to. The Breast Care team - surgeon or nurses - should be able to refer you, failing that I’d try your GP.
I saw physio weekly for 4 weeks, then fortnightly for 4 weeks, then once a month for at least 4 sessions. I have my expected last one next week.
Re: exercises - it’s all about focussing on your shoulder blade and concentrating on the movement to make it go flat. Sounds ridiculous I know and it’s bloomin’ hard at first but you do get used to it. It happens because you’ve spent some time not moving as you normally would and the surrounding muscles forget stuff! You’re training the surrounding muscles to go back to what they used to do.
This isn’t medical advice but it’s what has worked for me. Slow and gentle is key, so is stopping if you feel pain.
Room corner standing press ups - find a clear room corner (that was easier said than done) and place your hands on the flat wall either side and lean in. Your trying to separate your shoulder blades and round them.
You can also do these against a flat wall
Lie on your back on the floor with a little padding, maybe a rug or ideally an exercise mat. Raise your arms up straight and take a stretchy band and hold an end in each hand. You want some tension but start with a wider stance and work up to having a narrower stance. Keeping your arms straight, move the band over your head and then back over to your hips. If you were standing you’d just be raising and lowering your arms. Do it slowly and really think about the problem side - it’ll be clunky to start with but it does improve.
Get a tennis ball size ball and lean with your back against a flat wall. Extend your arm out to the side and then bend at the elbow, like you’re showing off your muscles but don’t clench your fist! Put the ball between your elbow and the wall and rotate it in tiny circles.
Generally when moving around and doing all those chores you don’t usually think twice about, stop and focus on the movement. E.g. putting things in cupboards, lifting stuff, hanging up washing.
Then just generally standing and practising stretching arms out in front of you and raising and lowering them.
Hope some of this is useful for you but please do also ask your physio if they suggest.
thank you for your reply and the advice. It is so good to know that you managed to get it sorted especially as it is such a struggle at the mo. I can’t believe what an effort it takes to just move my arm above my head. I have definitely been inspired by you to give it a real go. I will try to do some of your exercises and speak to my physio. I was beginning to feel alone with this problem and ghat it would never improve. Thank you once again- off to stand in the corner of the room like a naughty kid. X
Hi. I had surgery on breast and lymph nodes on 10th June, then all lymph nodes removed on 10th July. Now my right shoulder blade is sticking out and painful. Saw a junior doctor today (when drain was removed) and she said it looks like a winged or floating scapula. Not t sure what happens now but can’t do much with my right arm (I’m right handed).
