The Impact of a Shoulder Mobility and Strengthening Program in the Treatment of Contralateral Shoulder Morbidity Post-Mastectomy and Axillary Lymph Node Dissection: A Retrospective Case Report
Type of Presentation
Event
Location
Hall of Governors
Start Date
4-7-2017 4:00 PM
End Date
4-7-2017 6:00 PM
Abstract
Background/Purpose: lpsilateral shoulder morbidity is a common complication following surgical mastectomy in the treatment of breast cancer worldwide. While the complications and potential treatment interventions for ipsilateral shoulder arm morbidity have been well documented, effective treatment options for contralateral shoulder morbidity have been minimally researched. The purpose of this case study was to evaluate the impact of a physical therapy treatment program with heavy emphasis on shoulder mobility and strengthening exercise in the treatment of a patient with contralateral shoulder morbidity approximately two years post-mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection (ALND).
Case Description: The patient was a SS-year-old female with complaints of insidious onset of pain, numbness, and tingling radiating from both shoulders down towards her hands. Pt reported her symptoms began shortly after she underwent a right mastectomy with ALND and subsequent chemotherapy and radiation therapy for Stage II right breast cancer approximately two years prior.
Outcomes: The patient completed twelve outpatient treatment sessions over the course of six weeks and demonstrated considerable improvement in reported pain levels, left shoulder AROM, and strength by approximately 2S%. Additionally, the patient demonstrated improved left shoulder function as evidenced by a clinically significant improvement in score on the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH} assessment. Current minimally clinical important difference is >10 points and the patient improved her initial score by more than 30 upon discharge.
Discussion: The patient's decreased pain and improved left shoulder functional mobility suggest that treatment focused on improving shoulder mobility and strengthening can be beneficial in the rehabilitation of contralateral shoulder morbidity in female patients post-mastectomy and ALND. Future research can help to determine which specific interventions are the most effective in improving quality of life for this particular patient population.
The Impact of a Shoulder Mobility and Strengthening Program in the Treatment of Contralateral Shoulder Morbidity Post-Mastectomy and Axillary Lymph Node Dissection: A Retrospective Case Report
Hall of Governors
Background/Purpose: lpsilateral shoulder morbidity is a common complication following surgical mastectomy in the treatment of breast cancer worldwide. While the complications and potential treatment interventions for ipsilateral shoulder arm morbidity have been well documented, effective treatment options for contralateral shoulder morbidity have been minimally researched. The purpose of this case study was to evaluate the impact of a physical therapy treatment program with heavy emphasis on shoulder mobility and strengthening exercise in the treatment of a patient with contralateral shoulder morbidity approximately two years post-mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection (ALND).
Case Description: The patient was a SS-year-old female with complaints of insidious onset of pain, numbness, and tingling radiating from both shoulders down towards her hands. Pt reported her symptoms began shortly after she underwent a right mastectomy with ALND and subsequent chemotherapy and radiation therapy for Stage II right breast cancer approximately two years prior.
Outcomes: The patient completed twelve outpatient treatment sessions over the course of six weeks and demonstrated considerable improvement in reported pain levels, left shoulder AROM, and strength by approximately 2S%. Additionally, the patient demonstrated improved left shoulder function as evidenced by a clinically significant improvement in score on the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH} assessment. Current minimally clinical important difference is >10 points and the patient improved her initial score by more than 30 upon discharge.
Discussion: The patient's decreased pain and improved left shoulder functional mobility suggest that treatment focused on improving shoulder mobility and strengthening can be beneficial in the rehabilitation of contralateral shoulder morbidity in female patients post-mastectomy and ALND. Future research can help to determine which specific interventions are the most effective in improving quality of life for this particular patient population.