Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Physical Therapy for Surgery

Background: Post-mastectomy lymphedema is a chronic, debilitating disorder that is frequently misdiagnosed, treated too late or not treated at all. So this study was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of shockwave therapy on the post-mastectomy lymphedema. Methods: Sixty female patients with post mastectomy lymphedema (stage 2), there ages ranged from 30 t0 50 years selected randomly from the Out Patient Clinics of National Cancer Institute and Physical Therapy Faculty divided into two equal groups (shockwave group A and control group B). Shock wave group received 12 sessions of shockwave therapy (2000 shots, 4 Hz, 0.040{u2013}0.069 mJ/mm2, pressure 1 bar) 2 sessions/week for 6 weeks beside traditional physical therapy program for lymphedema 3 sessions/week for 6 weeks, the control group received traditional physical therapy program 3 sessions/week for 6 weeks. Assessment was carried out before treatment and after 6 weeks post treatment. the U.L volume was measured by tape measurement tool. Shoulder (abduction, flexion and external rotation) ROM measured by electronic goniometer. Skin thickness was measured by ultrasonography. The gained data was analyzed by SPSS program. Results: Post treatment results showed that there was a significant improvement in upper limb volume and shoulder ROM in both groups in favor of the study group. Also it showed that there was significant decrease in skin thickness measures in group A but there was non-significant decrease in skin thickness in group. Conclusion: shock wave is an effective modality in treatment of the post-mastectomy lymphedema

Issued also as CD