Mondors Cords After Breast Implants. How Long Do They Last, and What Can I Do?

I had breast implants on April 15th 2012. Two weeks after surgery I developed mondors cords. I have had the since and they are quite painfully. My breasts are no longer painful but the cords mak wearing any kind of bra uncomfortable. I have tried heat packs and also taken ibrubrofen but nothing seems to help. I was advised by my surgeon to always wear a bra but always feel uncomftsble. How long do they last and is there anything else I can do?

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4 Doctor Answers | Asked by jodiee in Manchester

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Mondor's cords

Mondor's cords are superficial thrombophlebitis that usually are self-limiting and respond to warm soaks and anti-inflammatory agents.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Mondor's Disease After Breast Augmentation

Mondor cords or Mondor's disease is a subject that I wrote a dissertation about when I was in my plastic surgery residency at Stanford. Technically, Mondor's disease is a clotted vein or veins that come up the chest wall just below the breast. They normally last 3 months and ibuprofen is what I have always recommended. I have always recommended the patients wear no bra as the bra irritates an already irritated vein. I am sorry you are going through this and you are... more

Mondor's syndrome after breast implants

Mondor's syndrome (or cords) are benign inflammation of the veins and lymphatics below the breasts - these are the veins that drain blood down from the breast towards the abdomen. It is usually self-limiting (although can be quite uncomfortable, as you describe). Unfortunately time can't be hurried, and what you are doing, in terms of ibuprofen and massage are the only treatments that may help. How long will they last? It is very individual, but usually no more than 2-months... more

Mondor's bands

Mondor's bands are swollen lymphatics and always resolve spontaneously without treatment other than time, massage, and Motrin. Each person is individual in the timing though.