What is Chronic post mastectomy pain?

Chronic post-mastectomy pain is one type of chronic postoperative pain. It is also known as post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS). PMPS is a pain that retains after mastectomy or any other kind of breast surgery. The procedures that may involve in the post mastectomy are partial mastectomy, total mastectomy, lumpectomy and breast reconstruction.

Causes

• One of the common causes of Post-mastectomy pain is neuropathic, which means caused due to nerve damage.
• According to researchers, it can also cause due to any nerve damage in breasts and underarm.
• It can also cause due to development of an abnormal nerve tissue.
• Another possible cause of chronic post mastectomy pain can be the development of a hematoma while

surgery.

Symptoms

• A dull ache, burning pain or numbness
• The pain may be in the chest, near the area where the breast was operated on.
• The pain may be present in the armpit if the arm is operated
• You usually experience severe pain as you move your shoulder on the operated side.
• The pain get increase if you apply pressure to the operated area.
• Usually the pain varies from woman to woman. It can be either severe or mild

.

Treatment

Chronic post mastectomy pain can be treated with both medications as well as other alternative treatment. They are:

Medications

• NSAIDs
• Tricyclic antidepressants
• Anticonvulsants
• Opioids: when other medications are not effective enough for this pain, then you can use opioids for its treatment.

Alternative Treatments

• Physical Therapy
• Message
• Reflexology
• Acupuncture
• Hypnosis
• Topical medications
• Counseling