How to do rehabilitation exercises after breast cancer surgery? What are the causes of upper limb edema after breast cancer surgery?

Patients should undergo rehabilitation exercises after breast cancer surgery. Why do we need rehabilitation exercises? What should I do? Rehabilitation exercises after breast cancer surgery mainly include two aspects: one is upper limb functional exercises; the other is to eliminate upper limb edema. (1) Simple and easy upper limb functional exercises ① Local massage: Use the opposite palm to gently press the upper, lower, left and right sides of the surgical scar to promote skin massage, promote local blood circulation, and relax tense skin; ② Shoulder exercise: The upper limbs are naturally drooping, with the shoulder as the center, and the upper limbs move forward, backward, left and right. The degree of activity and the amount of exercise gradually increase, and there is no local pain. ③ Abduction exercise: Make fists with both hands, raise the upper limbs outward, repeat many times, then cross the fingers of both hands, put them behind the head, and vibrate the elbows backward to stretch and relax the skin of the chest wall; ④ Touch height exercise: Stand on the wall, try to touch a certain height of the wall with your hand, and make a mark. In this way, the skin of the upper limbs will relax due to pulling. (2) Prevent upper limb edema and promote its disappearance ① Anti-infection (anti-inflammatory treatment): reduce or avoid axillary effusion and wound infection; ② Strengthen upper limb functional exercise: promote lymph and blood return; ③ Avoid long-term sagging of the affected limb: pay attention to elevating the affected limb at ordinary times, and use pillows to raise the arm when sleeping; ④ Patients with severe swelling can use bandages to compress the affected limb. The editor kindly reminds you that rehabilitation exercises are very important after breast cancer surgery. Patients should actively cooperate with doctors for treatment. I wish you a speedy recovery.