Another thing to consider - if her breast implants were textured, certain
brands have been recalled due to associations with BIA-ALCL.
--
Leanna Blanchard, PT, DPT, CLT, OCS, FAAOMPT
Physical Therapist and Doctor of Physical Therapy
Board Certified Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy
Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists
Certified Lymphedema Therapist
On Oct 27, 2020, at 3:55 PM, Nancy Roberge <nancyroberge4@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Mary,
Here is a link to an interesting article on breast implants which a patient
of mine shared. This particular patient has had pain and tightness from 2
different sets of implants and she was never as loose as she once was (and
she teaches YOGA!) and she always had mild to moderate discomfort. She opted
to have both taken out and is now recovering.
I also had a patient whose body kept trying to ‘reject’ her implants and she
too finally had them taken out.
There are just some women who do not tolerate implants very well for a
multitude of reasons.
Let us know how she makes out.
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/04/20/do-some-surgical-implants-do-more-harm-than-good
Dr. Nancy J. Roberge
Helping The Patient Diagnosed With Cancer To Live Their ‘Best Life’
Compassionate Oncology and Orthopedic Rehabilitation
On Oct 27, 2020, at 9:13 AM, Mary Fisher <mary.fisher@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hello All,
Looking for insights on this case:
Patient underwent mastectomy with implant in 2004 (in another city/docs we
don't know). We saw her for the first time 2 weeks ago. She is not being
followed by any onc docs/surgeons. She complains of significant fatigue and
pain which never goes away. Pain is generalized to the breast and axillary
area, although she is quite sensitive to the touch at the lateral aspect of
the breast. Additional significant findings include a feeling of a puckered
or crinkled implant (not firm/filled). She also reports that her implant is
smaller than it used to be; she wears a prosthetic in addition to the
implant to make breasts more symmetrical. Other not significant findings
include shoulder range limited by pain but lacks any joint mobility issues;
some minor tightness issues easily addressed through PT with subsequent
increased motion; postural changes easily addressed but not impacting pain;
scapular weaknesses also being addressed.
We are very concerned about a leaking implant and have recommended she see a
plastic surgeon.
What is the best course of physical therapy treatment? I cannot find
literature that supports best interventions for this type of situation.
Thanks in advance -
Mary
Mary I. Fisher, PT, PhD | Chair and Associate Professor
Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy
Certified Lymphedema Therapist
300 College Park | Dayton, OH 45469-2925
mary.fisher@xxxxxxxxxxx | Telephone: 937.229.5617 | Facsimile: 937.229.5601
