Is pain under my left arm after surgery a concern?

Question

After my surgery (1/25) had a very sharp pain in my left under arm where your armpit meets your chest after I raised my arm too high. It was an intense shooting sharp pain. Today that same pain in my under arm is back and consistent. Very sharp shooting pain. It’s so bad I can barely use my left arm. I see my surgeon on 2/6 for my first post op visit. My main question is what is the root cause of this pain and how can I avoid worsening it and what can I do to help alleviate the pain?

Chet Mays, MD · Answer

I’m sorry to read that you’re experiencing discomfort after your breast augmentation. It sounds like you’re experiencing nerve pain, which is normal and, most often, temporary. You’ll likely notice it beginning to dissipate within a few days as the nerves heal themselves. However, if you’re very bothered by your symptoms, you can give your surgeon’s office a call before your follow-up.

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

Some pain under the arms is normal. However, it sounds like this is rather intense chest/arm pain and you should contact your surgeon on the emergency line and discuss.Best wishes, Dr. ALDO

Luis M. Rios Jr., MD · Answer

Sorry for your discomfort.The breast implant stretches not only the skin and muscle of the chest wall, it also stretches the nerves. Obviously, larger implants stretch more than smaller implants. There are some nerves that go from the chest at the level of the underarm and run to the inner part of the arm.When the implant stretches the chest wall, these nerves are stretched and cause burning in the inner part of the upper arm. Some patients experience mild pain and some patients have pain that is very bothersome. The majority of the time, this discomfort is temporary, usually lessening and finally disappearing after a few weeks.You can try the usual remedies to get relief: icing, pain medication and avoidance of extreme movement. Occasionally, a medicine targeting the nerve irritation can be prescribed.If the discomfort is unbearable, make an appointment with your doctor to discuss treatment options.Good Luck and sorry for the discomfort.

Robert Frank, MD · Answer

Your pain sounds like muscular pain related to stretching of the pectoralis.  I would try some heat and ibuprofen but do let your doctor know if the pain persists. Good luck.

Eric Schaffer, MD, FACS · Answer

I am sorry you are experiencing sharp shooting pains in your armpit area.  This can happen for patients due to the stretching and irritation of the muscles and nerves.  Discuss your symptoms with your plastic surgeon who can make suggestions for relief.  Good luck.

Jeffrey A. Sweat, MD · Answer

If your implants were placed under your pectoral muscles, as is often the case, the stretch of the pectoral muscle can cause a pain in the location that you describe.  It's not uncommon for the pain to be worse on one side more than the other.  In the absence of redness, fever/chills, heat to the touch or other signs of infection, you should be fine to wait to see your doctor.  If he or she prescribed a muscle relaxant, that should help and Advil (ibuprofen) works well for this type of pain also.  Not all plastic surgeons like their patients to use medications like ibuprofen in the immediate postoperative period due to bleeding concerns and even though you should be beyond this period, it is always best to at least call your doctor's office to make sure that whatever you decide to take for the pain is OK with them.  Best of luck with your continued recovery!

Daniel Kolder, MD · Answer

Sorry to hear you’re experiencing pain after getting breast implants. The shooting pain that you’ve described in your underarm area can be a normal side effect, as your skin and muscle tissue are still going to be tight this soon after your procedure. Since you already have a follow-up appointment scheduled, just make sure you discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon during your visit. In the meantime, try not to stretch your arms up overhead or try too hard to reach for something. As you continue to heal, you should notice improvements in your range of motion.

Swet Chaudhari, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and congratulations on your recent breast augmentation surgery. When a breast implant is placed, it stretches and extends the overlying breast tissue and also the nerves of the outer chest wall. These stretched nerves commonly causes a sharp shooting pain that comes and goes and can last for several weeks, even months after surgery.  The pain you are experiencing in the inner upper arm is  most likely related to  stretching of the intercostobrachial nerve,  just another one of the many nerves in the upper outer chest area near the armpit, that can be stretched and irritated from surgery. In almost every circumstance, however, this pain resolves in time. If it becomes very debilitating after a few more weeks , speak to your doctor about getting on a medication like Neurontin.

Georgios Ziakas, MD, FACS · Answer

Some soreness may be expected due to nerve irritation and scarring. Typically it will get better over several weeks but if it persists or is getting worse you should call your surgeon's office and make an appointment for evaluation and further treatment.

Sugene Kim, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi, elyfaithCongratulations on your recent breast augmentation.  It is not uncommon to experience nerve pain after breast augmentation; it can persist for several weeks.  Please visit your plastic surgeon so that he/she can examine you and allay your concern.Best wishes with your recovery.

Is pain under my left arm after surgery a concern?

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