Lymphedema Management
Lymphedema is the build up of protein rich fluid in the arms, legs, trunk or neck. It can occur with obstruction of lymphatic flow following radiation treatment, removal of lymph nodes, after infection, or with venous insufficiency.
Treatment of lymphedema can include:
- Manual techniques to facilitate lymphatic drainage. These are light massage strokes usually beginning at the neck and trunk, and progressing to the involved body part.
- Skin care: Patient are taught to wash and moisturize the skin and to prevent infection by avoiding activities that could lead to skin puncture or injury.
- Compression. After the manual treatment, the arm or leg is bandaged using layers of gauze, padding, and low–stretch bandages. Compression bandaging is worn all day, every day, for the first few weeks. Once the edema has been reduced, patients are referred to get a compression sleeve or stocking that they will continue to wear during the day after treatment is discontinued. The compression helps to keep the swelling reduced.
- Therapeutic exercise – exercise can help reduce lymphedema, and all patients are taught to do specific exercises while wearing the bandages. In addition to helping to reduce the edema, patients may be given other exercises to help improve posture, strength or flexibility.
- Education in exercise, skin care and bandaging techniques so patients can continue this at home
- After an initial evaluation, treatment continues 2 to 5 times per week for two to four weeks, depending on the severity of the edema, how well a patient is able to do their own bandaging and the availability of help at home.
