Functional evaluation of patients with mastectomy lymphedema

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to investigate the availability of the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test in daily practice instead of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) test for the evaluation of fear of movement and to assess the functionality of the upper extremity in postmastectomy lymphedema patients. Patients and methods: Between March 2018 and July 2018, a total of 30 female patients (mean age 53.8±12.3 years; range, 35 to 80 years) with postmastectomy lymphedema were included in this study. The severity of lymphedema of the patients was measured circumferentially at 5-cm intervals. All patients were evaluated for upper extremity functionality using the Timed Functional Arm and Shoulder Test, hand grip strength using a hand dynamometer, and pinch strength using a pinchmeter. The TSK test was used for the evaluation of fear of movement and TUG test was used for the evaluation of functional status of lower extremity. Results: There was a significant difference in functionality between the affected and unaffected side of upper extremity (p