Upper limb function training after breast cancer surgery

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in women, and surgery is still the main treatment. Surgery itself can cause edema in the upper limb on the operated side due to poor lymphatic drainage. Due to swelling and pain, patients will inevitably reduce the movement of the upper limb on the operated side, which will aggravate the edema, forming a vicious cycle and causing unbearable pain for patients. Inappropriate or excessive exercise may cause serious consequences such as wound rupture.

Correctly performing functional exercises on the upper limb on the operated side can effectively promote local blood and lymphatic return and effectively reduce swelling of the upper limb on the operated side. It is a very important part of the postoperative rehabilitation process!

Functional exercise requires gradual progress and should not be rushed. Exercise should be done without the patient feeling overly tired. If pain in the wound area suddenly worsens during exercise, stop immediately and seek medical attention in time!

1. Within 24 hours after surgery

The main focus is on exercising the hands and wrists, such as clenching fists, extending fingers, flexing and extending wrist joints, etc. In addition, a towel can be used to properly raise the upper limb on the operated side to promote blood circulation.

2. 2-3 days after surgery

The main focus is on exercising the elbow joint, and the forearm flexion and extension exercises on the operated side can be practiced. The patient can rely on the healthy limb or with the assistance of family members to exercise the operated limb. Special attention should be paid to keeping the shoulder joint still to avoid pulling the wound.

3. 4 to 7 days after surgery

You can try to place the operated hand on the healthy shoulder. If this is difficult, you can use the healthy hand for support or ask for help from family members. Special attention should be paid that although you can move your shoulder slightly at this stage, the abduction movement of the shoulder joint is still limited to prevent the wound from splitting.

4. 1 to 2 weeks after surgery

Gradually carry out exercises focusing on the shoulder joint, such as wall climbing, rope pulling, elbow extension, etc. The exercise process should start with a small range of motion of the shoulder joint and gradually increase, and avoid violent pulling. In addition, you can try to let the patient wash his face and brush his teeth by himself, which can not only exercise the shoulder joint, but also enhance self-care ability, killing two birds with one stone.

Through correct and effective functional exercises, the patient should eventually be able to reach the contralateral ear by raising the upper limb on the operated side over the head, or to raise the upper limb to the same height as the healthy side. On this basis, continue to consolidate the functional exercises. At the same time, avoid weight bearing on the upper limb on the operated side within 3 months after surgery.

Have you learned it?

Note: There is no copyright issue for the pictures in this article

Author: Chu Yi and Gu Lili from Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences

Funded by Shanghai Science and Technology Commission's Science Popularization Project

(Project No.: 20DZ2311100)