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ISSN 0185-3252 (Print)
Revista de la Asociación Médica del Centro Médico ABC

2009, Number 2

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An Med Asoc Med Hosp ABC 2009; 54 (2)

Impact of physical therapy for lymphedema secondary to radical mastectomy with axillary dissection in patients with breast cancer

Aloi-Timeus SI, Padilla LR

Language: Spanish
References: 14
Page: 76-79
PDF size: 60.80 Kb.


ABSTRACT

A prospective longitudinal study was performed in 30 patients diagnosed with breast cancer, that underwent modified radical mastectomy and radiation therapy. All patients had secondary lymphedema due to axillary dissection, but none had an active tumor at the time of this study. All patients underwent functional assessment and circumference measures were taken from the hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, arm and axilla, at time of the initial decongestive physical therapy and from then on, keeping a continuous therapy with a daily follow up for three weeks. Baseline variables were used as controls and subsequent readings during the following three weeks by Student t test, considering as statistical significance a ‹ 0.05 p value. Results: Statistical difference was found as of the second treatment week in the hand, wrist, elbow, arm and axilla, as well as significant distal to proximal progress. Conclusion: Decongestive physical therapy is a useful and efficient method in patient management after radical mastectomy and axillary dissection due to breast cancer.


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