Assessment of body posture in women after radical mastectomy using the DIERS formetric III 4D device

Introduction
Body posture is an individual and variable feature determined on a muscular, neurophysiological, osteoarticular or environmental basis. One-sided mastectomy as well as its negative effects and the treatment process are factors causing disturbances in body posture.

Aim of the research
To assess the posture of women after mastectomy depending on the side of the procedure.

Material and methods
The study group consisted of 30 women after mastectomy (right-sided, left-sided) and 30 healthy women aged 45 to 60 years. All examined patients were right-handed; 13 women underwent left-sided radical mastectomy, and 17 women right-sided. The criterion for including patients in the study was a period of 3–4 years after breast cancer surgery. Body posture was assessed using the DIERS formetric III 4D optoelectronic method. The study was performed at the Posturology Laboratory of Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce.

Results and conclusions
The Mann-Whitney U test showed a statistically significant difference in the pelvic tilt parameter between the group of women following right- and left-sided mastectomy (p = 0.034). In women following mastectomy, a greater number of abnormal postures was noted, especially with a tendency towards deepened thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis compared to the control group. Statistical significance was demonstrated in relation to the lordosis angle of the lumbar spine between groups (p = 0.047). Women after left-sided mastectomy exhibited higher scoliosis angle, vertical deviation, lateral deviation and surface rotation relative to women after right mastectomy.