A woman with macromastia may have a number of symptoms or complaints that may prompt her to seek breast reduction surgery (reduction mammoplasty).
Complaints groupings:
(1) pain
(2) physical complaints
(3) functional impairment
(4) psychological complaints
Pains (may be relatively constant or episodic):
(1) shoulder pain
(2) neck strain
(3) chest discomfort
(4) low back pain
(5) upper back pain
(6) associated with brassiere straps
(7) headache
(8) breast pain (mastodynia, especially during periods)
Physical complaints:
(1) difficulties with posture
(2) skin irritation or rash, especially between or below the breasts
(3) hand numbness or paresthesias in the little fingers
Functional impairment:
(1) shortness of breath due to interference with pulmonary function associated with increased work of breathing
(2) limitation in exercise or physical activity
(3) interference with work (get in the way)
(4) difficulty fitting into clothes
(5) interference with sleep
Psychological complaints:
(1) self-consciousness
(2) interference with social interactions
(3) emotional problems (anxiety, depression, other)
A variety of Likert scales can be used to semi-quantitate the various problems.
Purpose: To evaluate a woman with large breasts (macromastia) for problems caused by the large breast size.
Specialty: Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation, Obstetrics & Gynecology
Objective: severity, prognosis, stage, disability and performance
ICD-10: N62,