Physical therapy and exercise recommendations post-surgery?

saltmarsh

Hi All,

I was truly surprised when the physical therapy team who saw me as an inpatient gave me three exceedingly simple things to do, patted me on the back and let me head home. Here's what they gave me to do, in 5-10 rep sets, 3xday:

1. slow, gentle shoulder rolls up, back, and around

2. walking my fingers up a wall until my arms got to 90 degrees/shoulder height

3. brushing off my back (elbow at hip, palms facing away from your back, hinging your arm at the elbow as if you're trying to brush a bee off your lower or mid-back

Did the rest of you get similar exercises? Are these pretty standard? Anyone get anything else?

Also, I am wondering what your doctors said about exercise, particularly if you had immediate reconstruction. I know I'm supposed to avoid repetitive or forceful arm movements and impactful body movement for another 4-6 weeks, but I'm waiting to hear from my doctors what kind of movement is sanctioned in the meanwhile! I'm told my PS is pretty conservative about letting her patients get back to exercising, and believe me, I have no interest in undoing her hard work, but I also don't want to be sitting around doing nothing if I don't have to, so I hope I hear back from her soon! (By which I mean Monday, not over the weekend.)

Bookpusher

bump

Esther01

Hi Bookpusher,

Last night I posted the exercises my PT has given me after lumpectomy/sentinel node biopsy.

It's in the "Radiation August 2021" thread.

Blessings,

Esther

star2017

Yes, these are pretty standard. However if you have any pain or discomfort and want additional guidance, don't hesitate to ask for a PT order.

MountainMia

"don't hesitate to ask for a PT order."

I'll second that and say, don't hesitate to ask for a PT order at any time. If your range of movement is restricted at all, even months or years after your treatment is over, get help for it. The sooner you get help, the better, quicker, and easier your recovery will be.

msphil

yes I also did those exact therapies and was successful. It helped me a lot to move my arm after surgery of Lmast. No more problems and Praise God Imma a 27yr Survivor here to Inspire others going thru. msphil IDC stage2 0/3 nodes 3 mo chemo before and after surgery got married were planning our 2nd marriages at diagnosis. Positivity and Hope with my faith got me thru it. Then 7wks rads and 5 yrs on tamoxifen. Cytoxin 5fu adriamycin. Hold on.