Functional evaluation of the spine in patients with breast hypertrophy.

The purpose of the study in this article was to evaluate the physical impairment of patients with breast hypertrophy and to justify the medical necessity of reduction mammaplasty. In 50 women, 20 to 40 years old, with a body mass index below 25, breast size was measured by volumetry and correlated to a functional spine score. This score was determined by the presence of scoliosis, deviated head position, shoulder protraction, shortening of the pectoralis muscle, mobility of the cervical spine, and strength of the abdominal and back extensor muscles. Impairment of the spine in correlation to the breast size was statistically significant (r = 0.71, p < .0001).