Suitable exercise methods after breast cancer surgery

After breast cancer surgery, the patient's body is still in a very weak state. At this time, we must do some corresponding functional exercises. Sometimes, if we want to completely cure breast cancer, this is an indispensable way of recovery after surgery. So, how should we do functional exercises after breast cancer surgery?

1. Functional exercises during bed rest

After radical mastectomy, in order to make the skin heal well and avoid effusion, a rubber drainage tube must be placed and a chest bandage must be used for pressure dressing. After returning to the ward, the rubber drainage tube will be connected to a negative pressure suction device, so the patient will stay in bed for 1-3 days after surgery. During this period, the functions of the hand, wrist and elbow joints should be exercised. Exercises such as finger extension, fist clenching, wrist flexion and elbow flexion can be done.

2. Functional exercises for getting out of bed

The period of getting out of bed and moving around is from the time the negative pressure suction tube under the skin flap is removed, when the patient starts to get out of bed and move around until discharge. This period mainly involves exercises for the shoulder joint. Since the scar tissue near the axillary incision has not yet formed, early exercises can help the deltoid, trapezius and latissimus dorsi muscles recover their functions as soon as possible. This is an important part of upper limb function exercises after radical mastectomy. The methods of exercise are:

(1) 3-4 days after surgery, the patient can sit up and start elbow flexion exercises;

(2) Five days after surgery, after removing the chest strap that fixes the patient's upper limbs, the patient can practice touching the opposite shoulder and the same ear with the palm of his hand;

(3) 9-10 days after surgery, the incision sutures can be removed. At this time, you can practice raising the affected upper limb, flex the elbow joint on the affected side and raise it, with the palm placed on the opposite shoulder. Initially, you can use the palm of the affected hand to support the elbow on the affected side, and gradually raise the affected upper limb until it is level with the shoulder; (4) 14 days after surgery, practice placing the palm of the affected hand behind the neck, so that the affected upper limb is gradually raised to the patient's head-lowering position at the beginning of the exercise, and then to the position of raising the head and chest, and then to the affected palm passing over the top of the head and touching the opposite ear. In order to expand the range of motion of the shoulder joint, you can also do wall support exercises at this time to strengthen the function of raising the affected upper limb.

3. Exercise of upper limb function after discharge

After discharge, patients should continue to adhere to the functional exercise of the affected limb. The above exercises can be repeated, especially the exercise of raising the upper limbs against the wall, which can gradually restore the range of motion of the upper limbs and shoulder joints to normal. In order to further make the movements coordinated, natural and relaxed, the following functional exercises can also be performed;

(1) Upper limb rotation exercise: First, let the affected upper limb hang naturally, straighten and close the fingers. Gradually raise the affected limb to the highest point from the front of the body, and then gradually return to the original position from the outside of the body. Note that when raising the upper limb, try to straighten it as much as possible and avoid bending. The movement should be continuous. You can also exercise in the opposite direction.

(2) Upper limb extension exercise: The patient should keep his head up and chest out. In addition, the patient can also develop various weight-bearing exercises such as lifting, pulling, lifting, and lifting objects in daily life to enhance the strength of the affected upper limb and restore its function to normal.

The above exercises require 1-3 times a day, 30 meters each time. Be careful to avoid excessive fatigue, and proceed step by step and stop when you are satisfied. For patients with special conditions, the exercise time should be reduced or delayed as appropriate, but the exercise should not be stopped.

These are some functional recovery exercises that breast cancer patients need to do after surgery. During this period, our body functions have not yet recovered to their original state, so we need some good functional recovery exercises to help us. I hope these can be helpful to everyone.