Anesthesia

Postoperative myalgia (muscle pain)

03/23/2005

Question:

I had breast surgery 11 days ago and still suffer from severe muscle pain in my right shoulder and arm. Could this be due to postoperative myalgia and how can I treat the pain. Nurofen and Ibrufen seems to work only for 2-3 hours. How long can I expect the pain to last?

Answer:

Thanks for your question. I've covered this topic in a previous question (02/21/05). http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/32749.htm

Postoperative myalgia does not normally go on for quite as long are you've been suffering. Nor is it likely to affect only your right shoulder and arm. More usually it is symmetrical and affects muscles throughout the body.

Is that the side of your surgery? Your pain may have something to do with the surgery itself as the breast is in close proximity to the shoulder.

I think you need to call your breast surgeon and ask about an alternative cause for the pain.

In the mean time, Nurofen and ibuprofen are not unreasonable medications to use to control the symptoms. The duration of pain relief you are getting is about average for those particular medications.

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Response by:

Gareth S Kantor, MD
Assistant Professor
Department of Anesthesiology
University Hospitals
School of Medicine
Case Western Reserve University