Evaluation of the Impact of Physical Therapy on Patients With Macromastia Seeking Breast Reduction Surgery.

Background: Macromastia significantly impairs females' quality of life, with treatments such as physical therapy (PT) often providing only temporary relief. Insurance routinely denies breast reduction surgery, despite little relief after conservative treatments. Research on the efficacy of PT for macromastia is limited.

Objectives: In this study, we investigated the efficacy of PT for macromastia and identified patient factors associated with progression to surgery.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with macromastia between 2017 and 2021. We collected data on presenting symptoms, attempted conservative treatments, PT duration, and whether surgery was performed. All patients were invited to participate in a survey regarding their symptoms, treatments, and responses to treatments. Symptoms associated with patients progressing to a breast reduction were evaluated with a multiple logistic regression.

Results: Among the 327 patients identified with macromastia, 312 (95.41%) reported back pain and 272 (83.18%) attempted PT. Of the 72 (22.02%) patients who responded to the survey, 152 (46.48%) underwent subsequent surgery. The mean time from initial consultation to surgery was 283 days. Bra strap grooving was associated with progression to surgery (odds ratio = 1.90, CI = 1.02-3.54). Mean patient-reported pain levels decreased after surgery compared to after PT (pre-PT = 7.1, post-PT = 7.1, post-surgery = 3.1, P < .001).

Conclusions: Patients frequently undergo PT before breast reduction surgery despite no significant reduction in pain, whereas those who undergo surgery experience permanent relief and significantly reduced pain. Patients with bra strap grooving are more likely to progress to surgery. The requirement for PT as a prerequisite for surgery by insurance companies should be reevaluated.

Level of evidence: 3: