Physiotherapy in the prevention and treatment of upper limb complications in women with breast cancer

Main Article Content

Taynara Louisi Pilger
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2622-2819
Anna Julia Matheus Ortolani
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3284-3777
Francisco José Candido dos Reis Reis
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5758-5917

Abstract

Breast cancer is the one that most affects the female population in Brazil and the world. Upper limb complications are common after cancer treatment, including conservative procedures. Old studies have already shown the effectiveness of physiotherapy in the rehabilitation of these complications. However, currently, physiotherapeutic care must be initiated from the diagnosis of the disease. Pre-rehabilitation prepares the patient to receive cancer treatment and promotes a reduction in rehabilitation time. Rehabilitation decreased the axillary cord by 57%, increased the range of motion (ROM) by 45º for flexion and 70º for shoulder abduction, the incidence of lymphedema was 11%, and there was a decrease of 3.4 points concerning pain on the Visual Scale Analog (EVA). The physical therapist should work with breast cancer to diagnose, prevent, and rehabilitate after cancer treatment, promoting functionality and quality of life for patients with breast cancer.



Article Details

How to Cite
1.
Pilger TL, Ortolani AJM, Reis FJC dos R. Physiotherapy in the prevention and treatment of upper limb complications in women with breast cancer. HSJ [Internet]. 2022 Jun. 28 [cited 2024 Nov. 4];12(2):3-11. Available from: https://portalrcs.hcitajuba.org.br/index.php/rcsfmit_zero/article/view/1249
Section
NARRATIVE REVIEW
Author Biographies

Taynara Louisi Pilger, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto

Doctoral student in Gynecology and Obstetrics at the Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto.

Anna Julia Matheus Ortolani, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto.

Student of the 2nd year of Physiotherapy at the Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto.

Francisco José Candido dos Reis Reis, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto

Master's (1997) and Doctorate (1999) in Gynecology and Obstetrics at the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP). Postdoctoral fellow at Brigham and Womens Hospital at Harvard Medical School in Boston (2004-2005) and Visiting Research Fellow at the Center for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology at Cambridge University in the UK (2013-2015). Associate professor (level III) at FMRP-USP.

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