Arm Lymphoedema, Shoulder Mobility and Muscle Strength after Breast Cancer Treatment ? A Prospective 2-year Study

Evidence-Based Usefulness of Physiotherapy Techniques in Breast Cancer Patients

“…It is believed that interruption of the axillar lymphatic vessels has an important role in the development of this syndrome. Lymphovenous lesions with stasis, thrombophlebitis, aseptic lymphangitis and lesions in the lymphatic ducts also seem to be involved (Johansson et al, 2001;Moskovitz et al, 2001;Lauridsen et al, 2005). The literature is deficient with regard to the approach to be taken in cases of AWS.…”

“…Axillary web syndrome, also known as cording (Box et al, 2002), axillary strings (Lauridsen et al, 2005), or vascular strings (Johansson et al, 2001), is a sequela of breast cancer…”

Prospective trial of intensive decongestive physiotherapy for upper extremity lymphedema

“…It is defined as a swelling of the arm caused by insufficient lymphatic drainage [1,2]. Untreated lymphedema can cause chronic inflammation, cellulites, pain, fatigue, cosmetic deformity, and a significant decrease in the patient's range of motion, mobility, and functional use of the affected extremity [3][4][5].…”

Dynamic Angular Petrissage as Treatment for Axillary Web Syndrome Occurring after Surgery for Breast Cancer: a Case Report

“…(5,8,11,19,(23)(24)(25)(26) No standard of care has been established for the prevention or treatment of AWS. Manual therapies including myofascial release, scar massage, and lymphatic drainage techniques, as well as physical therapy, thermal therapy, surgery, and oral agents (anti-inflammatories and antibiotics (26) ) have been reviewed in detail by Yeung et al (8) Manual methods and physical therapy usually involve conservative treatment in several sessions over weeks or even months, with varying degrees of success in symptom reduction and cord resolution.…”

“…It typically develops under the skin of the inner arm, starting near the site of axillary surgical trauma and extending across the medial aspect of the arm to the antecubital fossa of the elbow, sometimes into the wrist and thumb; (7)(8)(9)(10) cords may also be seen on the chest wall caudal to the axilla. (11) Cord(s) may be clearly visible and palpable, or evidenced as pain and tightness upon raising the arm to and above shoulder level. Earlier reports called this "Mondor's disease", attributed to superficial sclerosing venous thrombophlebitis.…”