The purpose of the paper is a functional assessment of post-mastectomy patients who underwent latissimus dorsi breast reconstruction (LDBR), and of healthy women, through an analysis of selected muscle function parameters, including motor control assessment. Twenty participants were included in the study (ten LDBR-procedure individuals and ten healthy controls). The research consisted of a DASH (The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) questionnaire assessment, shoulder area static assessment, shoulder mobility assessment, latissimus dorsi flexibility assessment and shoulder motor control assessment. LDBR-procedure individuals-when compared to healthy controls-exhibited a decrease in physical aspects of quality of life, shoulder area postural alterations, limitations in shoulder mobility and decrease in shoulder motor control. LDBR procedure may have an influence on limiting shoulder active mobility, as well as on decrease of shoulder motor and postural control. Standard functional assessment diversified on motor control assessment of post-mastectomy patients qualified for the LDBR procedure seems to be necessary.
Keywords: breast cancer; functional assessment; latissimus dorsi breast reconstruction; motor control assessment; shoulder function.