lymphedema treatment

Hi Guys,

I'm going to see this week a client referred to me by a consultant. The client referred with trauma induced lymphedema & apparently has been there for over 3 years!
Can anyone suggests any treatment plan that really works on this case please?!

Is there a link/ or does alcohol affects the condition!? (as client's believe so!)

Please let me know ASAP,

Thanks a million

PhysioFit

there are various treatment methods used in this case :
the most popular one is drinage massage (effelorage massage done from distaly to proximaly of limb),
2nd, compression bangage ( when you apply the bandage you must compress on the distallt limb and decrease the compression force as you going proximally), also dont forget to apply foeam under the bangage, and to apply t tube band .
give the pt isotonic or iskynatic excercise ( Dont give the pt isotmetric excercises because it will increase the loud in the muscles)
give pt pumping excercise for unkle in lower limb lymphadema or fo fingers in upper limb lymphadema
ask pt to avoid hot weather and hot bath.
I will read about other treatments methods and i will replay tomoro...

Hello Physiofit

Currently there is no standard protocol defined for treatment of lymphoedema and it is individualised or customised as per the patient's or client's need. The main aims that a therapist should have in mind while dealing with lymphoedema include conrolling and reducing accumulation of lymph (swelling), prevent skin infections and educate the client regarding same, maintain the surrounding joints in their highest degree of mobility, prevent deep vein thrombosis and improve overall quality of life.

This can be achieved using compression garments, elevating the affected limb(s), exercises - both passive and active, manual massage, skin care and use of faradic stimulations. combined together, this therapy is sometimes named as complete decongestive therapy.
Remember, use the principles of physiotherapy as per the symptoms that you find.

Good luck

Thank you very much for your input.

I did a literature review on Lymphoedema treatment in my final year that was published in the NZ Journal of physio. You can have a read here:

http://www.nzsp.org.nz/index02/Publi...5_p101-112.pdf

A combination of skin care, massage, exercises and bandaging or compression garments is the most effective treatment, although, as noted, these is no consensus on how much of each part and which part has the most effect.

Hope the article helps
Mike