What Are the Treatments for Post Mastectomy Pain Syndrome?

Post mastectomy pain syndrome, or PMP, is a disorder that affects women who have undergone mastectomies because of breast cancer. This condition may be caused by nerve damage that occurs during a mastectomy. PMP may be treated in several ways.

Medical Management

• According to the Washington Hospital Center, physicians may treat pain from post mastectomy pain syndrome with anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, analgesics such as aspirin or narcotic pain relievers.

Physical Therapy

• Physicians may prescribe physical therapy and give patients exercises that relieve pain and strengthen their bodies.

Nerve Blocks

• Doctors may inject pain medication into a patient’s joints or spine to block the pain signals from injured nerves.

Other Treatments

• Physicians may treat post mastectomy pain syndrome with integrative medicine that may include acupuncture, massage and other holistic types of medicine. Patients with PMP may also receive psychotherapy.

Symptoms

• Patients with post mastectomy pain syndrome may experience aching and burning sensations around the chest and breast areas, tingling and pain in scar tissue or limited arm and shoulder rotation.

Doctor Visit

• Doctors may ask patients questions about where pain is felt, when pain is felt and the types of different pain sensations that patients experience.