What to do after Breast Surgery?

Physio&SoleClinic Breast Surgery, Physiotherapy April 4 2022

Breast Surgery – Post-operative Physiotherapy

Women with breast cancer may undergo breast surgery as part of their treatment, which may include the following procedures:

• Wide local excision
• Mastectomy
• Sentinel or Axillary Lymph nodes removal
• Breast reconstruction

What are the possible issues after breast surgery? 

Breast surgery can affect how well your shoulder or arm moves. It is important to begin simple shoulder or arm exercises after surgery to minimize any side effects. Side effects may include:

• Shoulder stiffness
• Pain
• Numbness
• Arm swelling or lymphoedema (especially if lymph nodes were removed)
• Axillary web cording

When can I start doing arm exercises?

Depending on your condition, you can begin with gentle exercises such as breathing exercises, hand pumps, and shoulder rolls a day after surgery. It is best to consult your doctor or physiotherapist, especially if breast reconstruction was performed, to understand which exercises are suitable for your rehabilitation.

Will the shoulder exercises hurt?

The prescribed exercises should not be painful, but you may feel slight tightness or a pulling sensation when you move your shoulder forwards and sideways. You should aim for a gentle stretching sensation in your armpit or shoulder when doing the exercises. Perform the exercises with 5-10 repetitions for 2-3 times a day or as much as your shoulder can tolerate. 

What should I avoid after breast surgery?

• Avoid heavy lifting of any weight more than 5 kilograms.  
• Refrain from abrupt movement of your affected arm.
• Avoid overdoing the exercises prescribed by your physiotherapist.

What are the risks of getting a frozen shoulder after breast surgery?

Most women recover spontaneously after surgery without any shoulder problems. However, some studies on Asian women reported about 10% to 20% of women developing chronic shoulder issues after breast surgery.

How can a Physiotherapist help?

A physiotherapist can perform a thorough assessment and prescribe a customised exercise program according to the type of breast surgery you had. The physiotherapist will communicate with your doctor on the appropriate management. The following are the common physiotherapy treatment modalities after breast surgery:

• Pain relieving strategies
• Shoulder movement exercises
• Manual lymph drainage massage
• Compression arm sleeves (if required)
• General conditioning exercises

The physiotherapist will progressively adjust your exercises when:

• All the blood drains are removed.
• You are coping well with wound pain.
• You feel more confident with the initial exercises.

Let our Women’s Health Physiotherapists help with your post-op care. Feel free to contact us at 84813151 for more information or to arrange an appointment.

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