What you may feel
- Pain in the breast, chest wall, armpit or inner upper arm.
- Pain may burn, shoot, tingle or ache.
- Scar sensitivity and numbness in nearby areas may occur.
- Raising the arm, dressing or moving the shoulder may be difficult.
- Discuss new swelling, a lump or changing pain with your treating team.
How it is assessed
Assessment considers nerve signs, shoulder function, swelling and new local changes.
Bring the operation or injury date, discharge information and recovery history. Explain whether pain is new, worsening or gradually improving.
Approaches to care
Pain management is combined with adapted shoulder rehabilitation and review by the treating team.
Coordinate the next steps with your surgeon’s restrictions. Record activities you can now manage and symptoms that still limit recovery.
When to seek urgent help
Wound redness or discharge, fever, rapidly worsening pain or new weakness need prompt assessment. Sudden breathlessness or chest pain requires emergency care.
Further reading: Breast Cancer Now
This is educational information and does not replace an individual medical assessment. Similar symptoms alone do not establish a diagnosis.