PATIENT EDUCATION patienteducation.osumc.edu Exercises After a Mastectomy or Lymph Node Removal If you have had a mastectomy or lymph nodes removed, ask your doctor when you may begin exercises. Do not start any exercises until your doctor says it is okay. Your drainage tubes should be removed before you begin exercising. Begin to use the involved arm (the arm on the same side as the mastectomy or the arm that had lymph nodes removed) for daily activities such as washing your face, combing your hair and getting dressed. While resting, keep the involved arm elevated, so the arm is at or above the level of your heart. To pump the lymph fluid out of your involved arm, squeeze a soft ball or foam rubber hand exerciser using the hand of the involved arm. Range of Motion / Strengthening Exercises Do only the exercises marked by your physical therapist. Do these exercises slowly and gently. Call your physical therapist if you have any questions or concerns. This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or health care team if you have any questions about your care. March 21, 2012. The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.
Snow Angel (Lying Down) Lie on your back. To support your neck put a rolled up towel under your head. Your arms should be straight out with the palms of your hands facing the ceiling. Slide your arms back and forth on the floor. You should only move your arms as far as you can and still be comfortable. Do this exercise for 3 minutes, then hold your arms out straight with the palms of your hands facing the ceiling for 1 minute. You may find it helpful to use a timer for this exercise. Snow Angel (Standing) With your head and shoulders against the wall and your chin tucked, slowly raise both arms from your sides up along the wall to shoulder height.
With your head against the wall and your chin tucked, slowly raise your arms from shoulder height to over head. Shoulder Shrug Raise your shoulders to your ears. Hold for 5 counts. Lower your shoulders and pull them down toward your bottom. Front Raises Place your good arm on your opposite shoulder. Massage the shoulder joint. Gently hold the shoulder down while raising the involved arm up in front of your body. Hold for 5 counts. Lower your arm.
Side Raises Raise the involved arm up from your side with your thumb up. Do not raise shoulder. Hold and stretch for 5 counts. Lower your arm. Turning Arm Out Bend your involved arm at the elbow, keeping it at your side. Move your arm away from the body, turning your palm upward. Back Reach Use your good hand to grab the wrist behind your back. Bend at the elbow. Pull your involved arm up gently. Hold for 5 counts. Lower your arm.
Butterfly Wings Sit in a chair and place both hands behind your neck with your elbows out to the side. Once you are able to reach both of your hands behind your neck, clasp your fingers together. Bring your elbows together in front of your body until they touch. Use a dowel rod/broomstick to do these exercises while sitting down or lying on your back. Flexion Holding the rod/stick with your palms down, lift your arms over your head as far as you can go or until your elbow is near your ear.
Abduction Hold the rod/stick in front of you. Move the rod/stick to the side, raising your involved arm up toward the ceiling. Shoulder Rotation Lift the rod/stick to shoulder level. Twist the rod/stick clockwise until the rod/stick is upright. Twist the rod/stick in the opposite direction.
Do these exercises while standing. Wall Walks Extend your involved arm directly in front of you so that your fingertips touch the wall. Walk your fingertips up the wall, stepping in towards the wall as you move your arm higher. Repeat the exercise by walking your fingertips down the wall, taking a step backwards as you bring your arm down to the starting position. Side Wall Walks Stand with your involved arm next to the wall. Walk your fingertips up the wall, without leaning your body towards the wall. Step toward the wall as you move your arm up. Repeat the exercise by walking your fingertips down the wall.
Wall Crawls Stand in front of a wall and with both hands walk your fingers up the wall until you feel a pull. Hold for 5 seconds. Slide your hands down the wall. Corner Stretch Stand in a corner, with your hands and forearms on the wall. Step into the corner with your hands and forearms pressing against the wall. Hold for 5 seconds. Chest Stretch Put your hand on the wall. Turn your body away from your arm. Hold for 5 seconds.
Push Ups Stand facing the wall at arm s length and place your hands against the wall at shoulder level. Slowly bend your elbows until your forehead touches the wall. Keep your head, trunk and legs in a straight line. Straighten your elbows slowly until the body is upright. Follow-up: Physical Therapist: Phone: Comments: