Breast Cancer Rehabilitation

Following surgery and treatment for breast cancer, you may encounter a few complications which can be alleviated with specialist physiotherapy. Therapy may include joint mobilisations, myofascial release, massage, stretches and mobility exercises, pilates and a functional rehabilitation programme to get you back to your normal daily activities and sports. Pilates is especially important after a DIEP flap (Deep inferior epigastric perforators flap) reconstruction.

We can assist you with the following post-operative complications:

Cording (Axillary web syndrome) – as your body heals following treatment for breast cancer, sometimes bands of tissue can form in your armpit or down your arm that looks like strings or ropes. This called ‘cording’.It is caused by inflammation, scarring, and eventually hardening of the lymphatic and vascular vessels. As the cord is quite inflexible, it may restrict your shoulder mobility and cause pain when stretching your arm. Cording responds well to physiotherapy as we use specialist manual therapy techniques and stretches to restore normal shoulder mobility and function.

Pain and stiffness – initially pain, slight swelling and stiffness is normal post-operatively, but if your pain is severe or persistent, you should seek advice. Your physiotherapist will assess you to find the cause of your pain and treat you accordingly using various techniques.

Scar Tissue – generally scar tissue heals by itself with time, however your physiotherapist can use specific massage techniques which can improve scar tissue management.

Lack of strength in the shoulder and core muscles – following surgery, you may experience decreased muscle strength due to disuse, and in the case of DIEP reconstructive flaps, you may have decreased core control. Your physiotherapist will develop a bespoke rehabilitation programme to include specific shoulder strengthening and pilates exercises.

General deconditioning – depending on the type of treatment you have undergone, you may experience general body weakness, particularly after a cycle of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Physiotherapy can get you back to your normal routine and sporting activities by prescribing a tailor-based exercise program for you.

Lymphoedema – following surgery or radiotherapy to the armpit, you are at a higher risk of developing lymphoedema. This is swelling caused by a build-up of lymph fluid in the tissues. If you notice persistent or excessive swelling, we can refer you for manual lymphatic drainage.