Shoulder Pain and Disability among Post Mastectomy Patients

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine shoulder pain and disability among post mastectomy patients. Methods This cross sectional study was conducted in Peshawar Pakistan from June 2017 to June 2018. A self administered questionnaire was used to collect demographic information and clinical characteristics while Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) was used to evaluate shoulder pain and disability. Female post mastectomy patients with age between 18 to 55 years were included. Patients with co-morbidities, bilateral mastectomy, history of trauma, history of shoulder pain before mastectomy and shoulder pain on non-operated side were excluded. SPSS version 23 was used to analyze the data. Results A total of 127 post mastectomy patients participated in the study. Out of total 127 participants, 99 (77.95%) reported shoulder pain and disability on operated site. Age (P value=0.181) and operated side i. e., right and left mastectomy (P value=0.324) were not significantly associated with shoulder pain and disability. On the other hand marital status (P value=0.04), educational status (P value=0.03) profession (P value<0.001) and time since surgery (P value=0.04) were significantly associated with shoulder pain and disability. Conclusion More than 2 third of post mastectomy patients suffer from shoulder pain and disability. Connective tissue fibrosis of shoulder joint seems to be the only reason for it. Physical therapy after mastectomy can help in preventing shoulder pain and disability.