I am having discomfort and pain on the right side of my right breast when I make certain motions with my arm. For example, pushing down the pump on a hand soap dispenser. I also feel it when I pick items up that are light in weight like my laptop. When I touch my breast it feels bruised on the area where it hurts when I do those motions. It also feels like tightness. The discomfort and pain in the area I indicated in pink in the picture. It's also lateral to that on my side.
June 9, 2020
Answer: This appears to be costochondritis Costochondritis is an inflammation of the ribs and is very similar to tennis elbow. It can occur where the rib meets the breastbone or where the bony portion of the rib connects to the cartilage portion of the rib. The inflammation can be quite painful and can even mimic the pain of a heart attack. It is quite common, especially in women who have breast implants.The breast implant rests on the chest wall and is constantly rubbing over the ribs. Even when your are breathing, the ribs are moving and causing irritation between the implant and the rib. This constant motion causes inflammation and pain, not an infection.The treatment consists of immobilization, anti-inflammatory medication, analgesic medication, and restriction of physical activity.This is my recommendation to help alleviate this condition:Wear a good supportive bra 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 2 weeks, and stop breast implant massage.Take a strong prescription anti-inflammatory medication for 2 weeks; I usually recommend Relafen, 500 mg, twice a day for 2 weeks.If analgesics are needed, try over the counter medications such as Aleve, Advil, or Tylenol. If a stronger medication is needed a prescription narcotic can be substituted.Restrict all physical activity on the side the costochondritis is occurring on for 2 weeks (i.e. weightlifting, vacuuming, and heavy lifting).If after 2 weeks the symptoms have not totally resolved, then repeat all the therapy for another 2 week period.If at the end of 4 weeks there is no improvement in symptoms, please contact your plastic surgeon.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
June 9, 2020
Answer: This appears to be costochondritis Costochondritis is an inflammation of the ribs and is very similar to tennis elbow. It can occur where the rib meets the breastbone or where the bony portion of the rib connects to the cartilage portion of the rib. The inflammation can be quite painful and can even mimic the pain of a heart attack. It is quite common, especially in women who have breast implants.The breast implant rests on the chest wall and is constantly rubbing over the ribs. Even when your are breathing, the ribs are moving and causing irritation between the implant and the rib. This constant motion causes inflammation and pain, not an infection.The treatment consists of immobilization, anti-inflammatory medication, analgesic medication, and restriction of physical activity.This is my recommendation to help alleviate this condition:Wear a good supportive bra 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 2 weeks, and stop breast implant massage.Take a strong prescription anti-inflammatory medication for 2 weeks; I usually recommend Relafen, 500 mg, twice a day for 2 weeks.If analgesics are needed, try over the counter medications such as Aleve, Advil, or Tylenol. If a stronger medication is needed a prescription narcotic can be substituted.Restrict all physical activity on the side the costochondritis is occurring on for 2 weeks (i.e. weightlifting, vacuuming, and heavy lifting).If after 2 weeks the symptoms have not totally resolved, then repeat all the therapy for another 2 week period.If at the end of 4 weeks there is no improvement in symptoms, please contact your plastic surgeon.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
