Key research from the University of Malaga for breast cancer surgery patients: a new physiotherapy technique restores shoulder mobility

Axillary web syndrome is a complication affecting women who have undergone breast cancer surgery (mastectomy) and involves the formation of a thrombus or lymphatic cord that significantly reduces shoulder mobility in patients and causes pain. Many of them are even unable to lift their arm or achieve 180 degrees of mobility. Moreover, to receive radiotherapy, it is absolutely necessary for the patients to have overcome this condition. Thus, research led by physiotherapist and director of the Department of Physiotherapy at the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Malaga, Rocío Martín Valero, has developed an innovative physiotherapeutic technique called 'un-mooring' therapy, which has enabled all the studied women to regain 100% mobility in the affected shoulder.

The technique is known as 'un-mooring' therapy because it achieves this effect on the lymphatic cord in axillary web syndrome, thus reducing the time these patients suffer from it. "This research developed by physiotherapists at UMA demonstrates benefits in shoulder mobility, pain, and quality of life for women," explains Professor Martín Valero. "It affects you in your day-to-day functionality. It limits your quality of life because you stop doing simple things like combing your hair, reaching for items on a high shelf, etc.," she emphasizes.

The research also involves the Andalusian Health Service (SAS) through the Lymphedema Unit in Algeciras, which belongs to the Campo de Gibraltar Oeste Health Agency. In total, 46 mastectomized women have been worked with, and the research team includes physiotherapist Jesús Baltasar, who belongs to that unit, and Professor María Jesús Viñolo from the University of Cádiz and physiotherapist.

Women suffering from this condition must delay, until it is resolved, the application of radiotherapy, "because the thrombus limits shoulder flexion and, when they receive this treatment, they need to have 100% mobility," she stresses. All participants have received "an experimental intervention based on a combination of manual therapy techniques with stretching and passive-assisted kinesitherapy (functional movements) of the upper limb homolateral to the surgical intervention after breast cancer" where the syndrome occurs, explains Martín Valero, adding that patients receive this treatment five days a week for three consecutive weeks. The technique also includes massages for scars and manipulative tissue release techniques.

The technique, which is patented, could be considered from now on the treatment of choice for this surgical sequel. Precisely, Jesús Baltasar will present a doctoral thesis on this subject on September 1st, before an international tribunal (with Australian presence). The technique has also been very successfully applied at the Földi Clinic (Hinterzarten, Germany) in women with auxiliary lymphatic thrombosis.

The results of the research have been published in the journal 'Supportive Care in Cancer'. This research project has been supported by the Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation of Cadiz (INiBICA) in its 2023 Call. Additionally, it received funding from the Progreso y Salud Foundation, Health and Consumer Affairs Council of the Junta de Andalucía, in its call for research and innovation projects in the field of primary care, regional hospitals, and high-resolution hospital centers of the Andalusian Public Health System, 2024. The granted amount is 13,340 euros.