Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Jan 22: Early loss of shoulder joint range of motion is common among breast cancer patients within a month of surgery and can significantly affect daily activities such as dressing, grooming and overhead movement, a study from Japan has found.

The retrospective cohort study analysed data from patients who underwent inpatient rehabilitation following breast cancer surgery at a university hospital between May 2014 and April 2020. Researchers assessed passive shoulder flexion and abduction before surgery and again one month postoperatively to identify factors linked to early movement restriction.

Of the 258 patients included in the study, 210 (81.4%) experienced limitation in shoulder joint range of motion one month after surgery, despite undergoing inpatient rehabilitation. On average, shoulder flexion reduced by 31.3 degrees and abduction by 35.9 degrees, highlighting a substantial early decline in mobility.

Multivariable analysis identified three key factors associated with shoulder movement restriction at one month: older age, a higher number of axillary lymph nodes removed, and undergoing a total mastectomy. Other variables such as body mass index, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and length of hospital stay were not found to be independently significant.

The researchers noted that these findings could help clinicians identify patients at higher risk of early functional limitation. Older patients and those undergoing more extensive surgery may benefit from closer monitoring, tailored rehabilitation plans and early goal-setting to support recovery and maintain independence during the critical postoperative period.