Short term effects of breast cancer surgery on scapular kinematics after two months of upper limb rehabilitation: a case series

This study described the short term effects of breast cancer surgery (BCS) on scapula kinematics, perceived pain and shoulder disabilities after two months of upper limb rehabilitation (PT). Five patients received PT in the first week following BCS and were evaluated twice in baseline (B), after a month (M1) and two months (M2) of surgery. Scapular kinematics were collected during elevation of the involved and non-involved side in the scapular plane. Pain was assessed with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and shoulder disabilities with the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH). In three patients, the involved side decreased the scapula internal rotation among M1, M2 and M12 (from rest position to 120°). Finally, after PT one patient reported a meaningful perceived pain and another one improved shoulder disabilities.