Post-Mastectomy Arm Pain: Causes, Recovery & When to Seek Help

Question
Hello Doctor,

First ques: After Mastectomy of left breast, my mother complains of pain in the upper side of her left arm.(from shoulder to the elbow). please tell me what can be the cause of this and what can be done to get rid of this?

Second ques: How much time will she take to get recovered from the surgury affects?

I look forward to your response.

Answer
It MAY be caused by nerve damage of some kind sustained during surgery. Let a neurologist check her pain. And then when you have firmer ground to stand on discuss it with her surgeon. I'm a medical oncologist & radiation therapist so this part is not really my field. Good luck!