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

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, andthen complained of uncomfortable pain from the shoulder joint to the axilla and limited range of motion. To implement a skinmobilization, 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. Immediatechanges 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 inpain (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 forimproving 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.