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Function of muscles of flexors and extensors of the elbow joint in women after treatment of breast cancer.

BACKGROUND
Limited function of the upper limb is the main problem after radical therapy of breast cancer. The shoulder joint is most commonly affected. However, even the simplest movements involve entire muscle groups. The aim of this study was to assess elbow flexor and extensor function in women following treatment of breast cancer.


MATERIAL AND METHODS
47 women at a mean age of 62 years (range 45 - 77 years) post Patey mastectomy participated in the study. The function of muscles of the elbow joint (peak torque, work, power) was examined by isokinetic testing.


RESULTS
Statistically significant differences were revealed in the group of 47 women between the dominant vs. non-dominant side of the body. Weakness of the elbow extensors and flexors on the operated side was revealed in subgroup analysis. Decreased force and velocity parameters of elbow flexors and extensors were noted in women with cancer on the dominant (right) side (subgroup 1) and the differences between body sides were no longer statistically significant. However, in women with cancer on the non-dominant side (subgroup 2), the discrepancy between the limbs increased and was statistically significant. Mean differences were not statistically significant only with respect to peak torque of the elbow extensors.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment of breast cancer causes not only weakness of shoulder muscles but also of elbow-moving muscles. Treatment of cancer of the left breast can lead to false positive (too high), and treatment of cancer of the left breast, false negative (too low) functional impairment of the elbow extensors and flexors.