The Relationship between Extremity Volume with Pain, Sensation and Grip Strength After Breast Cancer Surgery

Abstract

Objective: The increase in the upper extremity volume is one of the most common complications following breast cancer surgery and it may affect upper extremity functions negatively. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationships among upper extremity volume and pain, sensation, and grip strength following breast cancer surgery. Material and Method: Forty-nine participants who were between 44-73 (54.00/50.50-62.00) years, who had received surgical and oncological treatment following the breast cancer diagnosis, and who had completed their last treatment at least three months ago were included in the study. The upper extremity volume was calculated by using the Frustum method, pain was inquired with Visual Analog Scale, sensation was evaluated with the Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament Test, and grip strength was measured with a hand-held dynamometer. Results: The grip strength was poorer (p<0.001), and the extremity volume was higher (p<0. 001) in the affected extremity compared to the unaffected extremity. Positive low-moderate relationships were detected between upper extremity volume and loss of sensation in the first fingertip (p=0.036), and between upper extremity volume and loss of sensation in the hypothenar (p=0.036) region. Conclusion: According to results of the present study, the increase in the upper extremity volume following breast cancer surgery is related to upper extremity sensation, however, is not related to pain or muscle strength. The factors associated to changes in the upper extremity volume, which are frequently seen following breast cancer surgery, should be considered for guiding the prevention and treatment processes.

Keywords

• sensation
• muscle strength
• Pain
• sensation
• extremity volume
• muscle strength
• breast cancer surgery

Meme Kanseri Cerrahisi Sonrası Ekstremite Hacmi ile Ağrı, Duyu ve Kavrama Kuvveti Arasındaki İlişki

Abstract

Amaç: Üst ekstremite hacmindeki artış meme kanseri cerrahisi sonrasında görülen en yaygın komplikasyonlardan biridir ve üst ekstremite fonksiyonlarını olumsuz etkileyebilmektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı meme kanseri cerrahisi sonrası, üst ekstremite hacmi ile ağrı, duyu ve kavrama kuvveti arasındaki ilişkileri araştırmaktı. Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışmaya 44-73 (54,00/50,50-62,00 yıl) yaş arası, meme kanseri tanısı sonrası cerrahi ve onkolojik tedavi almış ve son tedavisini en az üç ay önce tamamlamış 49 katılımcı dahil edildi. Üst ekstremite hacmi Frustum yöntemi ile hesaplandı, ağrı Görsel Analog Skala ile sorgulandı, duyu Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament Testi ile değerlendirildi ve kavrama kuvveti hand-held dinamometre ile ölçüldü. Bulgular: Etkilenen ekstremitede, etkilenmeyen ekstremiteye göre kavrama kuvveti daha düşük (p<0,001) ve ekstremite hacmi daha yüksekti (p<0,001). Üst ekstremite hacmi ile birinci parmak ucunda duyu kaybı arasında (p=0,036) ve üst ekstremite hacmi ile hipotenar bölge duyu kaybı arasında (p=0,036) pozitif yönde düşük orta derecede ilişkiler tespit edildi. Sonuç: Bu çalışmanın sonuçlarına göre meme kanseri cerrahisi sonrası üst ekstremite hacmindeki artış üst ekstremite duyusu ile ilişkili, bununla birlikte, ağrı veya kas kuvveti ile ilişkili değildir. Meme kanseri cerrahisi sonrasında sıklıkla görülen üst ekstremite hacmindeki değişikliklerin ilişkili olduğu faktörler önleme ve tedavi sürecine yön verme açısından akılda tutulmalıdır.

Keywords

• Ağrı
• Ağrı
• duyu
• ekstremite hacmi
• kas kuvveti
• meme kanseri cerrahisi

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