Palpable cord refers to palpable superficial veins, which is a sign of superficial phlebitis.

Once vessels are cut, blood can no longer flow through and the blood inside the veins naturally clots, causing a mild local inflammation reaction within the veins. These veins become palpable and visible through the skin, looking like ‘cords’. These care called ‘Mondors Cords’.

Mondor’s disease is spontaneous superficial thrombophlebitis of a breast vein. It is often initially painful and often there may be a history of trauma or surgery to the breast. Clinically, there may be a thickened palpable cord with associated erythema.

The physical exam most commonly demonstrates unilateral extremity swelling, warmth and discomfort over the vein, and, perhaps, a palpable “cord” where the DVT is located.

In case of superficial vein thrombosis/superficial thrombophlebitis, vein lines should be removed. In neoplastic diseases and hematological disorders, anticoagulants may be necessary. Exercise reduces pain and the possibility of deep vein thrombosis. Only in cases in which pain is very severe is bed rest necessary.

Cording usually goes away on its own over time. Doing stretching exercises can prevent it. Ask for a referral to a physiotherapist who can give you daily stretching exercises.

The vast majority of patients require nothing to treat this. The problem is self-limited and will spontaneously resolve in several weeks to a few months (see example below shown at 2, 3 and 12 weeks after surgery).

Symptoms of superficial thrombophlebitis generally include pain, swelling and redness along the affected vein. It may be accompanied with fever. There is often a visible or palpable “cord” along the length of the affected vein. DVT is a true medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention.

Background Treatment for breast cancer may result in the formation of palpable cords in the axillary region. Our aim was to evaluate cording incidence, risk factors, and association with upper extremity functional impairment and measured arm volume change. Methods

Prior authors have highlighted an association between Mondor’s Cord as a sign of underlying breast pathology and recommend ruling out breast cancer through appropriate imaging before expectant management, however, no direct correlation has been proven. Mondor disease can affect several different venous drainage systems.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents massaged over the area of tenderness improve the pain. Mondor’s disease most commonly involves one or more of three venous channels: the thoracoepigastric vein, the lateral thoracic vein and the superior epigastric vein. The upper, inner portion of the breast is never involved.

The etiology of cording is not fully understood. The condition may be related to abnormalities in either the axillary vasculature or the lymphatics[2,3,9]. Anatomic studies of resected cords reveal that these structures may represent dilated and thrombosed lymphatics and/or thrombosed superficial veins[3,9].