Body posture in women after mastectomy and its changes as a result of rehabilitation.

PURPOSE The aim of the study is: 1) to analyse selected features of body posture in women after mastectomy, 2) to compare them with body posture of healthy women, 3) to determine the effect of rehabilitation physical exercises on the changes in body posture in women after mastectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS The research material consisted of 85 women after mastectomy examined once, including 40 of them who were additionally examined twice at six-monthly intervals. Moreover, a group of 20 women was isolated who regularly attended rehabilitation classes for a period of one year in question. A comparative group was a group of 85 healthy women. The examinations were performed using photogrametric assessment of body posture. RESULTS Distinct adverse changes in body posture of women after mastectomy in comparison with healthy women were found, manifested mainly in asymmetry of trunk and shoulder girdle and greater forward leaning of the trunk. Significant relationship was indicated between the operation of mastectomy and the asymmetry of position of scapulas. CONCLUSIONS When comparing the changes in the features of body posture in the group of women who exercised regularly with other women for the period of one year it was found that a positive effect of regular rehabilitation was keeping the angle of body inclination on the same level and improvement in trunk symmetry, position of scapulas and shoulder girdle.