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Breast Cancer

Preoperative Evaluation

What preoperative evaluation and teaching is appropriate by a physical/occupational therapist?

A preoperative evaluation could include: posture, shoulder girdle range of motion.

Preoperative teaching by a therapist at this point could include:

• Active range of motion and immediate post-op limitations of drains (hemovac)
• Shoulder girdle retraction exercises
• Positioning to avoid post-op lymphedema
• Psychosocial considerations: femininity, sexuality, love, nurturance, maternal feelings, and self-image.