Principles of functional exercise after breast cancer surgery

With the increase of social and work pressure, more and more patients are suffering from breast cancer. This disease is a common and frequently occurring disease among women. Exercise is necessary for recovery! Medical scientists have found that proper exercise can not only optimize the quality of life of breast cancer patients, allowing them to remain fulfilled and confident during difficult times, but also help them better accept chemotherapy.

Functional exercise is very important for breast cancer patients after surgery:

Surgery is still the main method for treating breast cancer. Dysfunction of the affected upper limb often occurs after breast cancer surgery, mainly manifested as upper limb lymphedema, limited range of motion of the shoulder joint, low muscle strength, rapid fatigue after exercise and fine motor dysfunction, etc. The degree of dysfunction depends on the surgical procedure and postoperative time, differences in radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and functional exercise.

Different breast cancer surgical methods will have different effects on upper limb dysfunction caused by breast cancer. The main reason is that the clearance of axillary lymph nodes leads to damage to the lymphatic vessels from the axilla to the inner side of the upper arm. Since the lymphatic vessels are inevitably damaged, the lymphatic drainage is not smooth, which leads to lymphedema of the upper limbs. Long-term and mild infection of the axilla will further damage the residual lymphatic vessels. If the infection is repeated, it may even cause obstruction of the subclavian or axillary veins, leading to severe edema.

Lymphedema of the upper limbs will affect the movement of the upper limbs and limit the movement of the shoulder joint. At the same time, the reduction in upper limb movement caused by the limited movement of the shoulder joint will increase the risk of upper limb lymphedema, and the two will form a vicious circle. Of course, poor wound healing after surgery makes it impossible to perform functional exercises normally, or patients are afraid to exercise their upper limbs, which will affect the recovery of upper limb function and lead to different degrees of limited movement of the shoulder joint. Functional exercise after breast cancer surgery can reduce the incidence of lymphedema and promote the increase of shoulder joint mobility.

The duration of functional exercise after breast cancer surgery

Exercising before scar tissue forms at the axillary incision can prevent scar contracture, muscle atrophy and joint stiffness around the armpit. It also avoids compression of the axillary vein by contracted scar tissue and reduces obstruction of axillary venous return. At the same time, movement of the affected limb can promote blood circulation, increase lymphatic return, reduce the occurrence of edema or promote the reduction of edema, thereby improving upper limb function.

Research suggests that functional exercise after breast cancer surgery should last for more than 6 months, especially the first 3 months. If the affected limb is not exercised after surgery, the contraction of scar tissue will affect the movement of the shoulder joint. Even if exercise is performed after the scar tissue is in a relatively stable state, the effect will not be ideal.

Methods of functional exercise after breast cancer surgery

In addition to conventional aerobic exercises such as walking, jogging, and cycling, as well as daily activities such as dressing, combing hair, and climbing stairs, domestic and foreign researchers have designed a series of rehabilitation exercises based on the special circumstances of breast cancer patients, which usually comply with certain principles: that is, keep the shoulder joint immobilized within 24 hours after surgery to prevent postoperative bleeding and subcutaneous effusion;

From the first day after surgery to the period of negative pressure drainage under the armpit (generally about 7 days), focus on the movement of the fingers, wrists, and elbow joints, avoid large-scale shoulder abduction movements, do not use the affected limb to support getting out of bed, and do not bend and extend too much.

From the 8th day to 2 weeks after surgery, the patient is generally still in the hospital, and the shoulder joint is mainly moved to prevent intra-articular adhesion caused by long-term joint immobilization, promote the formation of loose connective tissue under the scar tissue, expand the range of upper limb movement, and shorten the time for upper limb function recovery.