Postoperative arm edema after breast cancer may be preceded by pain in the affected upper limb, weakness, and thickening of the arm circumference.
After surgery, breast cancer patients often suffer from damaged lymphatic vessels due to axillary lymph node removal and impaired venous return, causing poor blood circulation or impaired lymphatic circulation, which may result in arm edema. Before that there may be pain and weakness of the affected upper limb due to dysfunction, and there may be thickening of the affected upper arm compared to the healthy side.
If the affected side of the upper limb pain, fatigue, arm circumference and other phenomena, can be considered as a sign of arm edema, you can do some to improve microcirculation training, such as clenched fist activities, etc.; can also be a hot compress, to promote blood circulation, reduce the reaction of edema. Or use elastic bandage or wear elastic sleeve under doctor’s guidance, in order to promote lymphatic return, improve swelling of the upper limb, reduce the possibility of fluid accumulation, and reduce limb circumference.
If these symptoms occur, it is recommended to report to the doctor in time and standardize the treatment under the doctor’s guidance.