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Abstract
Seventy-five women, of whom 30 had received postoperative radiotherapy, were tested for range of motion (ROM) and shoulder strength with a goniometer and an isokinetic device (Orthotron II), respectively. On the individual level, irradiated patients exhibited significantly reduced range of motion (varying from p<0.05 to p<0.001) for all movements compared with the non-operated side. In contrast, in the non-irradiated patients only flexion was significantly reduced (p<0.05). The same individual pattern was evident for shoulder strength where all movements except external rotation were significantly reduced in irradiated patients (varying from p<0.05 to p<0.001). Non-irradiated patients exhibited a significant reduction in shoulder strength for flexion and abduction (p<0.05), whereas other movements were less affected. The observed differences in ROM and strength were less pronounced when analyzed on a group level, but were still significant for ROM (p<0.001) for flexion and abduction. Group level analysis also showed reduced shoulder strength for all movements but only rotation was significantly (p<0.01) impaired.
From the Plastic Surgery Unit, Center for Surgical Sciences, Karolinska Institutet and Huddinge University Hospital (L. Blomqvist, B. Stark, M. Malm), and Department of Physiotherapy, Stockholm Söder Hospital, Stockholm (N. Engler), Sweden
From the Plastic Surgery Unit, Center for Surgical Sciences, Karolinska Institutet and Huddinge University Hospital (L. Blomqvist, B. Stark, M. Malm), and Department of Physiotherapy, Stockholm Söder Hospital, Stockholm (N. Engler), Sweden
