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Postural changes of the upper body in breast cancer patients following surgical and adjuvant treatment This publication appears in: Physiotherapy Authors: N. Adriaenssens, R. Buyl, L. Ruggiero, P. Lievens and J. Lamote Publication Year: 2012
Abstract: Objectives: Biomechanical changes of the upper body by surgically created loading unbalance are a common, but undervalued problem in breast cancer survivors. The aim of our study is to explore these acute postural changes and potential risk factors.Design: Prospective longitudinal cohort study.Setting: Breast Clinic of the University Hospital of Brussels, BelgiumParticipants: 80 female early breast cancer patients, aged ?18 years.Main outcome measures: Six posture parameters of the shoulder girdle and upper trunk, in the frontal and sagittal plane were evaluated using a standard set-up of 2D photography with software digitization of markers for anatomic reference points prior to and following breast surgery. Surgically created loading unbalance was expressed by type of surgery as well as removed breast volume through anthropomorphometric calculation of breast volumes. Age, time between measurements, body mass index and bra cup size were also included as potential risk factors for postural changes.Results: Shoulder girdle alignment angle in the frontal plane increased significantly, but there was neither a significant risk factor, nor a relation with the direction of alignment. In the sagittal plane, there was a trend towards a more forward en rounded shoulder at the non operated side following breast surgery. In general, the potential risk factors induced a higher, although not significant, postural deviation.Conclusions: Surgically created loading unbalance following breast cancer surgery has a significant impact on shoulder girdle alignment and, when taking into account risk factors, thoracic posture parameters.
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