Physical therapy and physical-functional complications after breast cancer surgical treatment

Abstract

Breast cancer (BC) surgical treatment is knowingly liable to bring about physical-functional complications at the homolateral arm/shoulder, as a result of axillary lymph node dissection. This study aimed at examining the relationship between frequency of such complications and the moment
of patients' referral to physical therapy. The physiotherapeutic records of 160 patients referred to the Physical Therapy Sector by the Oncology Service of the University Hospital between January, 1998 and December, 2001 were analysed in order to check the moment of referral and its relation to observed complications, the data being submitted to descriptive statistics with significance set at 5%. Observed complications were shoulder motion limitation (61,9%), pain (32,5%), lymphedema (29,4%), scar adherence (3,1%) and sensitive alterations (2,5%); 19,4% of the women didn't present any complication. In most cases patients were referred after complications took place (76,9%) rather than to prevent them (23,1%). Association between delayed referral and complication was significant for shoulder motion limitation, pain, and lymphedema. Amongst the early-referred women, most did not present any complication. Although the risks of complications following BC surgery are well known, many women are only referred to physical therapy after complication is installed, thus reducing chances of full physical-functional recovery.