Effects of Skin Mobilization on Pain and Joint Range Improvement in Patients with Axillary Web Syndrome: A Single Case Report

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to apply skin mobilization to patients with Axillary web syndrome following breast cancer resection and to see the resulting changes in pain and joint range of motion. Design: Single case study,pre-post comparison. Methods:The subject was a female patient in her 40s who performed a mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer, and then complained of uncomfortable pain from the shoulder joint to the axilla and limited range of motion. To implement a skin mobilization, the palms were adhered to the inner half of the arm, the arms were raised to a pain-free extent, and skin mobilization was performed. The skin was pulled in the direction of axilla and kept for 5 seconds 10 times for a total of 2 sets. Immediate changes in range of motion and pain were identified. Results: Following skin mobilization, there was an immediate increase in range of motion (pre 116°, post 140°) and a decrease in pain (NRS pre 5, post 2). And also uncomfortable pain, which is hard to define in words, also seems to have improved. Conclusions: Skin mobilization, which considers skin mobility for patients with Axillary web syndrome, can be considered for improving range of motion and restoring function in patients with pain due to fibrous bands around veins and lymphatic vessels, and is recommended as a new intervention method not used as a conventional treatment.

A study on skin mobility according to joint movement: Variations in mobility according to joint motion range and correlation and influence with hydrica composition

“…Furthermore, ultrasonic diagnostic devices were also used to observe the skin and underlying tissue gliding on superficial fascia 2 . In addition, the possibility of treatment using skin movement was suggested based on a case study in which the skin increased the range of motion in patients with axillary web syndrome (using regular skin movements) 6 . These results can be explained as evidence to support the skin's movement during human movements.…”

Effects of Active Movement with Skin Mobilization on Range of Motion, Pain, RPE on Patients with Axillary Web Syndrome: A Case Study

“…피부유동술(Skin mobilization)은 관절의 움직임에 따 라 일정한 방향으로 주변 피부의 이동이 나타나는 피부 의 이동을 근거로 하여 움직임과 통증을 개선하기 위해 실시하는 피부의 도수 접촉 중재 기술로 정의된다 [22,23]. 선행연구를 통해 겨드랑막증후군의 관절운동범위 와 통증의 즉각적인 개선을 보고하였고, 겨드랑막증후 군의 치료를 위한 다양하고 새로운 형태의 치료적 접근 이 필요함을 시사하였다 [24]. 따라서 본 연구에서는 유 방암 진단 후 겨드랑림프절제술후 겨드랑막증후군 진단 을 받은 환자를 대상으로 피부유동술 동반 능동관절운 동(active movement with skin mobilization, AMWSM) 실시하고 관절운동범위(°), 통증(numeric rating scale, NRS), 운동자각도(Modified Borg scale)의 변화를 관찰 하고자 하였다.…”