Lymphedema is the accumulation of fluid in any body part where lymph nodes are blocked or removed. It is a progressive condition that moves through advancing stages of involvement.Lymphedema Stage I will develop into Stage II if it is not addressed and managed appropriately. Mykotic infections and/or cellulitis attacks are frequent, and in these cases, cellulitis lymphedema may develop into Stage III lymphedema with permanent problems.
Primary Lymphedema is caused by congenital malformations of the lymphatic system and can be present at birth or develop some time during the course of life. Secondary Lymphedema is caused by a known pathological condition:
- As a side effect of dissection and/or radiation of lymph nodes
- Trauma
- Chronic inflammations of lymph vessels or nodes
- Malignant tumors
- Blockage of the lymphatic and venous return
Stages of Lymphedema
- Latency Stage: No Swelling
- Stage I: No secondary tissue changes
- Stage II: Hardening of the tissue present
- Stage III: Extreme increase in volume and texture with typical skin changes
Goals of Lymphedema Treatment
- Utilize remaining and intact lymph vessels as well as other pathways
- Decongest swollen and enlarged body part
- Eliminate fibrotic tissue
- Avoid re-accumulation of lymph fluid
- Prevent/eliminate infections and keep skin healthy
- Maintain a normal/near normal size of the limb
Goals of Lymphedema Therapy
The goal of the Two-Phase Therapy is to bring the Lymphedema back to a stage of latency.
- Phase I – Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD): MLD is a gentle manual treatment technique, which improves the activity of the lymph vessels, and reroutes the lymph flow around the blocked areas.
- Phase II – Compression Therapy: Compression therapy increases the tissue pressure and is applied between treatments to prevent reaccumulation of evacuated lymph fluid. Lymphedema Management works at Generation Care.
