1 in 9 women will get breast cancer in their lifetime. Although prevention, research and treatments have come a long way, physiological and psychological care after surgery is still largely neglected. However, it represents an essential link in the patient’s life: regaining a normal life is possible thanks to physiomedicine.
“The surgical intern had told me that I would never be able to carry weight again, I could barely lift my arm and I was afraid to do difficult things. Working with HUBER and my physiotherapist has restored my self-confidence and shown me how far I can push myself without hurting myself: I was able to play tennis again 2 months after my operation, completely forgetting about my arm!” Florence, operated on in 2012
The physiotherapist is omnipresent to help all women who have undergone mastectomy, lumpectomy, oncoplasty, axillary surgery or reconstruction during the various events of the disease:
Stage 1
To aid healing and increase tissue flexibility by optimizing the production of “good” collagen. The physio can start working on the scar even if it is still inflamed. For immediate improvement and functional recovery, he can mobilize the tissue in order to promote the sliding spaces between the skin, the fasciae and the deeper tissue plane.
Stage 2
– During chemotherapy: With Cellu M6 (scar) and Huber Motion Lab (upper limb and adjacent pains such as in the legs or back).
– During radiotherapy: Huber Motion Lab (increase of amplitude, postural flexibility and muscular work, especially of the pectoralis major).
Stage 3
Physiotherapists can treat a scar indefinitely. The tissue is still alive, it only needs to regain vitality through mechano-stimulation, which reorganizes the tissue structure by promoting “good” collagen and allows the recovery of trophic and normal tissue qualities. To facilitate reconstruction and postoperative follow-up, after reconstruction, physiotherapists repair the tissues. Lymphedema is also treated by advanced physiotherapy with various techniques that minimize swelling.
Treatments that physiomedicine provides patients with
Shoulder pain: release of the fasciae of the operated hemithorax, release of scar adhesions.
2. Limited joint amplitude: 90% recovery of the upper limbs.
3. Sensation of “hard sine”: Flexibility and mobilization.
4. Painful or unaesthetic scar: Release of adhesions attached to the muscle sheath. Reorganization of the tissue structure, increase of good collagen for a “beautiful” or “aesthetic” scar and better vascularization.
5. Lymphedema: Reduction of swelling and increased range of motion.
“At the beginning, the main task of oncologic surgeons was local control of the disease and its surveillance. After fifteen years, we are also concerned with rehabilitation after these sometimes aggressive surgical treatments. We have to reintegrate patients into their normal life, whether socially, professionally or in sports. Together with the expertise of the physiotherapist, these new technologies allow a better reintegration in terms of body integrity and improvement of scars.”
Pr Pierre LEGUEVAQUE, professor and head of gynecological and oncological surgery at the university hospital of Toulouse