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On Application of Injection Procedures in the Management of Post-Breast Surgery Pain Syndrome

  • Cancer Rehabilitation (C Kline-Quiroz, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

A Correction to this article was published on 28 April 2023

This article has been updated

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Breast cancer is a major cause of morbidity in the USA. Patients often experience poor self-image, pain, and reduced shoulder function, all of which have significant effects on their quality of life. Management of post-mastectomy pain syndrome is multimodal, often including physical therapy, pharmacological therapies, modalities, and interventional treatments. However, this review seeks to explore the interventional side of management.

Recent Findings

Post-breast surgery pain syndrome, otherwise known as post-mastectomy pain syndrome, is a broad category of conditions that often develop after radiation and breast surgery. The variety of interventional procedures to treat neuropathic and musculoskeletal chest wall and axillary pain is constantly evolving. The most commonly performed procedures include botulinum toxin injections and the following nerve blocks: serratus anterior, intercostobrachial nerve, thoracic paravertebral nerves, pectoralis (Pecs I and II), and the erector spinae.

Summary

With a multimodal approach, including the prudent use of the interventions, the skilled clinician can make a significant impact in reducing the suffering endured by millions of patients after breast cancer treatments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, 450 Clarkson Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA

    Anam Purewal

  2. Cancer Rehabilitation, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Ashish Khanna

  3. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365 Clifton Rd Building C, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA

    Ashish Khanna

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Correspondence to Anam Purewal.

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Anam Purewal declares no conflict of interest. Ashish Khanna declares no conflict of interest.

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The original online version of this article was revised: The order that the authors appeared in the author list was incorrect. Full information regarding the corrections made can be found in the erratum/correction for this article.

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Purewal, A., Khanna, A. On Application of Injection Procedures in the Management of Post-Breast Surgery Pain Syndrome. Curr Phys Med Rehabil Rep 10, 355–360 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40141-022-00375-2

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