BIOMECHANICAL EVALUATION OF SCAPULAR GIRDLE IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC ARM LYMPHEDEMA

Abstract

The presence of arm lymphedema caninduce alterations in motor functions andposture. Using an optoelectronic system(ELITE 2002), we evaluated these alterationsduring a set of tests involving walking, restingand fatigue. The results of our biomechanicalanalysis demonstrated a limited range ofmotion of the affected arm, particularly areduction in swinging during walking tests,and in shoulder retroposition and abductionmovements for all patients. After repeatedcyclical movements, premature fatigueappeared in the pathological arm. Lymphedemadoes not appear to cause alterations to theposture of the spine in our study, but droopingof the shoulder homolateral to the lymphedemacan occur. This kind of investigation,which is quick, easy, and comfortable forpatients with lymphedema, can be a usefulmethod to evaluate functional capacity, thusallowing a quantitative assessment of the lossof function and the optimizing of therehabilitative protocol.