What is Lymphedema?
A patient’s leg being treated with a vasopneumatic pump.
What is Lymphedema?
Lymphedema causes swelling because of a disruption in the flow of lymph fluid through the lymphatic system. This protein-rich fluid accumulates under the skin which leads to swelling, generally in the arms and legs, but also the face and neck.
Are you not sure if you have lymphedema verses regular swelling or edema? There is a self-check for Lymphedema you can perform before you make an appointment with a physician to request therapy:
Is the swelling limited to one arm or leg?
Did you have surgery or radiation prior to the onset of the swelling?
Did you have an injury or surgery on your affected body part?
Is the back of the hand/foot included in the swelling?
Are the natural skin folds (elbow/knee, ankle/wrist) on your extremity deepened?
If the answer to some or all the above questions is “yes”, lymphedema may be present.
Lymphedema that is hereditary (type I) or acquired after a surgery or after cancer treatments can be evaluated, treated, and managed. Early Identification and treatment help patients achieve better results.
Treatment during the acute or chronic stages of the disease can help manage symptoms.
More chronic symptoms and signs include:
Swelling in your arms, legs, shoulders, hands, fingers, chest, or neck.
Skin that feels tighter, harder, or thicker than normal in the affected area.
Clothing, rings, bracelets, or shoes that fit tighter than before.
Aching, tingling, or a feeling that your arm or leg is heavy.
Weakness in your arm or leg.
Difficulty moving joints, such as your wrist or ankle.
Repeated infections in your arm or leg.
How Brown Rogers Therapy Can Help You
Our lymphedema specialist will provide consultation and craft a specialized, individualized treatment plan to help control symptom, helping you get back to doing what you love. During Our Lymphedema Evaluation we will spend one-on-one time assembling a thorough client history, detailed, anatomically-specific measurements of swelling, range of motion, strength, and function of the affected area.
Your Treatment May Include:
Repeat measurement of swollen areas
Manual Lymphatic Drainage and/or Vasopneumatic device treatment to reduce the size of the affected area
Compression bandaging or temporary compression garment until maximum reduction is achieved, then measurement for a compression garment
Therapeutic and breathing exercises that help decrease the swelling.
Activity modification recommendations to limit exacerbations of lymphedema
Client and family education for self-management of lymphedema, including home equipment recommendations so you are successful at discharge.
We’re Only a Phone Call (or Text) Away
If you or a loved one has been suffering with symptoms like these, let us help you! Scheduling an evaluation is an easy, convenient process. You can call or text us at 225-926-2400, and our team will be in touch with next steps.