Objective To investigate the effectiveness of a specialized nurse-led teamwork model on improving recovery of upper limb function in breast cancer patients. Methods A total of 146 patients following modified radical mastectomy were divided into two groups.The control group （n=70） was given routine rehabilitation after the surgery, while their counterparts in the intervention group （n=76） received teamwork-based rehabilitation led by specialized nurses, that is, breast specialized nurses, physical therapists, surgeons, primary nurses, patients and family members collaborated in formulation, implementation, evaluation, supervision and follow-up of limb exercise.Shoulder mobility, arm circumference and upper limb impairment scale were used to evaluate the effect. Results The intervention group had better shoulder motion range and recovery tendency at 10 days, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively compared with the control group (P＜0.01 for all).The scores of upper limb impairment in the intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group at different time points (P＜0.01 for all). Conclusion Implementation of specialized nurse-led teamwork model can effectively enhance shoulder motion range and alleviate upper limb impairment after breast cancer surgery.