At Hands-On-Care we offer therapy for patients who have just undergone radical mastectomy.
Therapy includes
- Regaining ROM in the affected upper extremity
- Individualized Exercise program to regain ROM of the affected shoulder
- Managing/ preventing edema (lymphoedema)
- Massage
- Edema garments (pressure garments)
- String wrapping techniques etc
- Scar Management
- Ultrasound
- Scar pad if needed
- Preventing future shoulder problems but correcting posture and improving strength
Majority patients who do not have lymphoedema may need maximum of 6 visits to regain their range back, manage their scar, and establish a home program for strengthening so that they do not have problems in the future.
Pulley helps in gaining the range in the initial stages |
Laying on 3″ then progressing to a 6″ foam roll to perform very slow snow angel stretches to let the scar stretch out while slowly gaining ROM |
 elbow by side 0°
|
Pts develop limitation in IR if not stretched in the early stages |
Progression of shoulder flexion and abduction |
Abduction progression (standing) |
 Strengthening is crucial to maintain the scapula against the rib cage. If weakened, the scar will cause protraction of shoulder and rounded shoulder, creating shoulder problems in the future. |
 Shoulder extension |
 External rotation |
Cuff Strengthening |
Lateral raises, palm down (T) |
Front raises (U) |
 Progressing to bands |
 Ball exercise |
 Shoulder mobility for Serratus strengthening; wall pushing |
Shoulder at 90°, elbow 90°
Lateral raises, palm fwd (V)
