Comparison of shoulder flexibility, strength, and function between breast cancer survivors and healthy participants

Abstract

Shoulder ROM, strength, and function are important to assess in BCS.

A cinesioterapia reduz a dor no membro superior de mulheres submetidas à mastectomia ou quadrantectomia

“…Pain is a common complaint during treatment and negatively impacts daily life and QL 2,3,[5][6][7][8]12 . In this context, physical therapy participates in post-surgical complications prevention and in early rehabilitation for daily life activities [7][8][9][10][11]13 . In our study, radical mastectomy was predominant and it is believed that the larger the extension of AL-related surgery, the higher the possibility of complications 2,5,6 .…”

“…Fear of moving the limb and postoperative inactivity lead to gradual impairment of muscle strength and flexibility, and MA worsening, predisposing to pain [2][3][4] . Pain deserves attention for being directly related to physical and emotional wellbeing, to performance and achievement of daily life activities (DLA), as well as to quality of life (QL) [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] . In this sense, kinesiotherapy after surgical procedures is critical to prevent and manage pain 10,11,13,14 .…”

Application of a domicile-based exercise program for shoulder rehabilitation after breast cancer surgery

“…The recuperation time found was lower than that reported in other studies (2,6,(12)(13)(14)(15) . The rapid restoration of these movements can be attributed to the fact that this was a surgical modality with wedge resection of the breast containing the tumor and lateral margins of safety, greater conservation of the skin and without manipulation of the adjacent musculature (7) , resulting in less loss of upper limb function. However, in the women who underwent mastectomy, these movements required more time for their recuperation.…”

“…Among the therapeutic modalities surgery is highlighted, and the greater its delay, the greater the likelihood of postoperative complications. The limitation of the range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder is considered one of the major postoperative complications of the treatment of breast cancer, and is accompanied by impairment and decrease of the upper limb function (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7) . The shoulder is subject to the rapid installation of stiffness and muscle atrophy after breast cancer surgery, with the flexion and abduction movements the most affected (7)(8) .…”

“…The limitation of the range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder is considered one of the major postoperative complications of the treatment of breast cancer, and is accompanied by impairment and decrease of the upper limb function (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7) . The shoulder is subject to the rapid installation of stiffness and muscle atrophy after breast cancer surgery, with the flexion and abduction movements the most affected (7)(8) . The prolonged immobilization caused by fear and/or pain, as well as the type of surgery, the incision size, the performance of axillary lymphadenectomy, long thoracic nerve trauma or muscle spasm throughout the cervical region, arising from the muscular defense reaction, are factors that cause women to have a tendency toward little movement of the upper limb (9)(10) .…”