Breast Health Surveillance Program

Horizon’s Physiotherapy staff provides a surveillance program to patients requiring breast health surgery. This includes pre-operative, post-operative (1-3 weeks post-surgery), and ongoing visits. This schedule depends on a patient’s health status to ensure they regain upper extremity movement with exercise and receive education to monitor for complications like lymphedema or axillary web syndrome. You will be referred to the Physiotherapy department prior to surgery by your surgeon or breast health nurse. You will then be assigned a physiotherapist who will be a resource to you throughout the first year after surgery or longer as needed to address any problems that arise. As an example, he/she will take measurements of your arm movement and size of arm. You will be given an educational booklet that you should bring to your appointments.

• When attending an appointment, be prepared to expose the affected area in a comfortable setting.
• It is best to wear comfortable clothing that allows access to the affected joint (knee, shoulder, ankle, etc.) when you come for your appointment.
• Patients can be referred by their primary care provider/surgeon for physiotherapy treatments. Patients also have the option to self-refer to our department.