Alterações posturais e funcionais registradas na fotogrametria em mulheres pós-mastectomia

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common neoplasm among women in Brazil, and its treatment involves pharmacological and surgical procedures, such as mastectomy. The removal of the breast and adjacent structures can lead to physical complications that directly affect posture and upper-limb mobility. Among these, shoulder limitation, muscle weakness, and body asymmetries are notable. Thus, postural assessment becomes essential, and photogrammetry emerges as a precise and non-invasive tool to identify misalignments and biomechanical compensations in the postoperative period. This study aimed to analyze postural and functional alterations in the upper limb of women after mastectomy using photogrammetry. It is an observational, descriptive study with a qualitative and quantitative approach, conducted with patients from Aldenora Bello Cancer Hospital who underwent mastectomy surgery. Data collection began after approval from the Research Ethics Committee (CEP) under opinion number 7.720.119. Two instruments were used: a sociodemographic questionnaire, which included

information such as age group, gender, education level, clinical data, and post- mastectomy perceptions; and, for postural and functional assessment through

photogrammetry, the mobile application AI Posture Evaluation Correction System (APECS). The sample consisted of 22 women (n = 22), with a mean age of 47.7 years, and the most prevalent type of mastectomy was right unilateral, accounting for 45.5% (n = 10) of cases. The photogrammetry results showed the following main findings: 81.8% (n = 18) had shoulder asymmetry; 63.6% (n = 14) had lateral trunk deviation; 59.1% (n = 13) had trunk rotation; and 45.5% (n = 10) had lateral head inclination. Participants with 2–4 years since surgery were those who presented the most functional limitations (n = 9), with more than four self-reported limitations identified. It is concluded that photogrammetry, as a post-mastectomy assessment tool, makes it possible to highlight postural alterations resulting from the surgical procedure. Such changes compromise the entire postural chain, generating compensations that may affect the functionality of women who have undergone mastectomy.