Pain After Mastectomy (Breast Cancer Surgery)

Targeted Cryoneurolysis for Post-Mastectomy Nerve Pain and Sensitivity

What Is It?
Many patients experience lingering pain, burning, or numbness after breast surgery — a condition known as post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS). This type of discomfort is caused by injury or irritation to sensory nerves in the chest wall, most commonly the intercostal and intercostobrachial nerves that travel under the arm and across the chest.

Unlike typical post-surgical soreness, PMPS can persist for months or years and may feel like:

  • Burning, stabbing, or shooting pain in the chest, underarm, or upper arm
  • Increased sensitivity or numbness near surgical scars
  • Pain when wearing tight clothing or moving the arm
  • Phantom sensations or itching in the breast area

Common Causes

Pain after mastectomy is primarily nerve-related, resulting from:

  • Direct injury to sensory nerves during surgery
  • Scar tissue or adhesions compressing the nerves
  • Reconstructive procedures involving implants or tissue flaps
  • Axillary lymph node dissection affecting the intercostobrachial nerve
  • Chronic inflammation or hypersensitivity of the healing tissue

How Cryoneurolysis Helps

At Copenhagen Cryo Center, Dr. Igor Filipovski uses ultrasound-guided cryoneurolysis to precisely target the affected chest wall or axillary nerves responsible for pain after breast surgery. Controlled cold energy is applied through a small probe to temporarily deactivate these sensory nerves — effectively “resetting” their pain signals without damaging surrounding tissues.

This technique provides significant and often rapid pain relief, allowing patients to regain mobility, comfort, and confidence during recovery and daily life. Cryoneurolysis can be performed even while patients are undergoing cancer rehabilitation or reconstructive stages to improve quality of life and reduce reliance on medications.

Key Benefits:

  • Minimally invasive: Performed in-office under local anesthesia
  • Targeted and reversible: Sensory nerves are cooled safely without permanent damage
  • Effective pain control: Reduces burning, tenderness, and hypersensitivity
  • Enhances recovery: Supports mobility and emotional well-being after surgery
  • Drug-free and repeatable: Relief lasts for months and can be renewed as needed

Ideal Candidates

You may benefit from cryoneurolysis if you:

  • Experience persistent chest, underarm, or shoulder pain after breast surgery
  • Notice burning or hypersensitivity around surgical scars or implants
  • Have pain that limits movement or affects clothing comfort
  • Seek a non-opioid, minimally invasive treatment for post-mastectomy pain

Restore Comfort and Confidence

Living with pain after breast cancer surgery can be physically and emotionally draining. Cryoneurolysis offers a modern, gentle solution to help restore comfort, ease movement, and improve quality of life — so recovery feels like healing again.

Book your consultation with Dr. Filipovski at Copenhagen Cryo Center today.

Postoperative & Post-Traumatic Pain Conditions We Treat

Cryoneurolysis may offer relief for the following forms of chronic pain after surgery or trauma:

Post-thoracotomy Pain

Persistent nerve-related pain after thoracic surgery, often involving intercostal nerve injury.

Pain After Rib Fractures

Chronic or subacute pain due to intercostal nerve irritation or healing-related mechanical compression.

Neuromas After Surgery

Abnormal nerve regrowth causing sharp or burning pain at previous surgical sites (e.g., amputation, mastectomy, abdominal wall).

Phantom Pain / Stump Pain

Pain sensations from a missing limb or body part (phantom) or the residual limb itself (stump), often due to nerve dysfunction or neuroma formation.

Pain After Mastectomy (Breast Cancer Surgery)

Persistent nerve pain, burning, or sensitivity in the chest wall or underarm area following breast surgery, often related to intercostal or intercostobrachial nerve irritation.

Ready to Feel Relief?

Explore the individual conditions listed above or book a consultation today to discuss whether cryoneurolysis is right for you.

What to Expect

1

Free Records Review

We review your medical history to see if our approach is a good fit for your condition

2

Consultation

Patients who are a good fit for treatment will meet in person to further discuss

3

Treatment

Ultrasound-guided Cryoneurolysis, minimally invasive

4

Relief

Improved mobility and quality of life; plan for next steps

Frequently Asked Questions

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Generally considered safe with trained clinicians; side effects can include temporary numbness, bruising, soreness.
Varies by condition; some patients have relief for months; plans can be revisited.
Capital Region referrals mean no patient payment; other coverage varies and is discussed at consultation.

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Clinic Information

Address:
Pg. de la Bonanova, 91, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, 08017 Barcelona

Phone: +34647915544

Monday: 16:00 to 20:00
Tuesday: 16:00 to 20:00
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 16:00 to 20:00
Friday: 16:00 to 20:00

Saturday and Sunday: By appointment